Protest turning into riot: Mann

 By HELEN TARAWA
UNIVERSITY of PNG students have turned their protest into a riot and a law and order issue, according to Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann.
Mann told The National that the law enforcement agencies would have to deal with the issue to bring normalcy before anything else could be done.
“Up to Wednesday last week, it was a protest. But on Thursday, the students have turned their protest into a riot, law and order issue,” he said.
Last Thursday, a group of UPNG students burnt four vehicles during a row with security guards prompting a recall of police to the Waigani campus to restore order.
Mann described the incident as “small and unrelated” to the ongoing protest and boycotting of classes by some students on campus.
Mann said the situation on campus was calm and the administration was looking forward to the reconciliation process and salvaging the academic year.
The reconciliation process to be led by church leaders was cancelled last week  because of the fresh unrest at the campus.
Father Victor Roche, the general secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomons, this week called on students to stop causing any more trouble.