PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea: A simmering pay dispute involving Papua New Guinea’s security forces led to angry protests in the capital, Port Moresby, culminating in the torching of a police car near the prime minister’s office. The dispute, initially staged as a peaceful protest by soldiers, police officers, and prison staff, escalated in the afternoon with sporadic unrest throughout the city.
Protesters noticed unauthorized pay deductions without explanation, prompting the initial demonstration. As the day progressed, social media circulated video clips depicting crowds looting shops, and police struggled to restore order. Despite the initial involvement of security forces in the protests, the subsequent turmoil involved a mix of “police, soldiers, and civilians.”
Attempts to breach security at the prime minister’s office included an unsuccessful effort to set fire to a guard post and the eventual torching of a white police SUV parked outside. The government attributed the pay deductions to an unintended glitch and committed to promptly resolving the issue.
Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili expressed appreciation for the protesters before the unrest began, assuring security forces that their welfare concerns would be addressed. The situation remains tense, with authorities working to regain control and rectify the payment issue that triggered the protests.
