Teacher, student injured in clash with cops

 By ELIAS LARI

A TEACHER and a student are admitted at a health centre while others were treated for injuries received during a clash between armed police and students.

The incident happened at the Kitip Secondary School in  Dei, Western Highlands. The teacher and a student are admitted at the Kitip health centre. 

Several properties and vehicles were destroyed.

A joint special police operation unit from Jiwaka and Chimbu, investigating the books of Anglimp-South Waghi district, had gone to the school to question a teacher as part of their investigation. The teacher ran away. 

While they were looking for him, students and teachers turned on the police resulting in the fight. 

Western Highlands provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari could not be reached for comment yesterday. 

Assistant Police Commissioner Highlands Teddy Tei said  he would comment after receiving a report on the incident.

Jiwaka provincial commander Supt Simon Nigi blamed the students and teachers for the trouble. 

“This was a direct attack by students, teachers and locals on the police who were on a mission to pick up the suspect,” he said.

He said the teacher tried to escape from the school compound but police quickly surrounded the premises.

“I condemn people who do not show any respect to the work of police,” Nigi said.

During the confrontation, vehicles police were using were damaged.

The incident took place at around 2pm.

When police realised they were outnumbered, they began firing and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The injured student is in Grade 10.

A teacher who asked not to be identified said police should have come with a warrant to arrest and not act threateningly.

Former provincial law and order chairman and Jika councillor David Maip said many students could have been shot.