Manus police arrest students for drinking homebrew and fighting in school

National

By ROSELYN ELLISON
POLICE in Manus have arrested and charged 10 students of Akib Provincial High School in the Nigoherm local level government (LLG) area of Lorengau for drinking homebrew and fighting in school.
They were arrested by police yesterday and taken to Lorengau by boat.
Police alleged that on Thursday night the students, mostly grade niners, after drinking homebrew, went to the school and caused a fight with other students, which resulted in some getting hurt.
Police reports said the victims and other students were now living in fear because the school was far and isolated from the Manus mainland.
Manus police commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said the school administration reported the matter to police and the provincial education office in Lorengau.
Yapu said a team of police and education officers travelled to Akib on Friday and arrested the 10 students yesterday.
“An urgent meeting was held regarding the situation with the school principal, parents,
Negoherm LLG president and the officers from the education office as well as police,” Yapu said.
He said the drinking of homebrew and fighting in school were serious issues.
Akib, a newly established school in the province, opened early this year for fgrade 9 students.
The 10 students were allowed bail and would appear in court next Wednesday.