Debate policies in House, not on the streets

HISTORY shows a peaceful or protest march could turn violent.
In 2001, protesting University of Papua New Guinea students in Port Moresby were fired on by police resulting in four deaths.
In 2014, in Port Moresby’s Hanuabada village, police fired indiscriminately into a crowd after a confrontation between National Capital District rangers and street vendors turned violent.
One man was killed and another critically wounded.
In 2016, again at UPNG, students who had organised themselves en masse to conduct a peaceful protest at Parliament House were stopped by armed police as they tried to board buses.
The situation quickly got out of hand after students refused to call off their planned protest.
Shots were fired by police personnel and according to the police commissioner’s office, 23 students were wounded with five in critical condition at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The city was then plunged into chaos as news of the shootings quickly spread by word of mouth and particularly on social media websites like Facebook.
Based on past records, Opposition MPs should reconsider any plans to walk to Parliament on May 28.
They may say the march is only for MPs but given the volatile situation, politics in PNG is currently treading on, public including opportunist will definitely join in.
Remember, opportunists are people who see a chance to gain some advantage from a situation, often at the expense of ethics or morals.
Such gathering has the potential to turn violent with politics.
Businesses and schools are likely to be affected if this march pushes through in fear of repercussions.
It’s unfortunate that past incidents like looting brings these precautions to the front of our minds, but we should take this opportunity to stay safe not only in the coming weeks.
The police to citizen ratio is no comfort that any violent situations will be brought under control quickly.
Police have a constitutional duty to protect the state and the public will no doubt use strong arm tactics as their first course of action when dealing with the public to maintain law and order.
The rippling effect if anything turns nasty in Port Moresby is most likely to trickle down to the provinces as politics is seen to be coming becoming tribal.
The political showdown of numbers between the Government and the alternative Government has surely raised security concerns.
The standoff in the numbers game seems to have captivated many citizens who are observing with interest what will transpire in the next few days and weeks.
With situation being a bit volatile, we trust that our security forces will be on alert to curb any slight show of violence not in Port Moresby but right across the country.
One thing for sure, we concur with the police minister that there is a place to talk and argue on government matters of policies which is on the floor of parliament and not the streets.
And the election of a prime minister is done on the floor of Parliament and not on the streets
One thing authorities will have no control over is on speculative news and rumours that will be circulated through social media.
The economy of this country needs to operate daily in a peaceful and calm environment.
Public safety is paramount and the police have a duty to keep the peace and ensure public, as well as private, property is protected and no one’s rights are infringed upon.