Dispute over Government Pay in Papua Leads to Deadly Rioting
2024-01-12
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1The government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency on Thursday after at least 16 people were killed in rioting.
2After declaring the emergency, Prime Minister James Marape told a news conference that the government would take steps to prevent further "lawlessness."
3Speaking directly to the people of the South Pacific country, Marape said, "This is your country as much as it's my country. Breaking the law does not achieve certain outcomes."
4The unrest began Wednesday in the capital, Port Moresby, after hundreds of police officers, soldiers and other government workers walked off their jobs.
5The workers had discovered an unexpected pay cut.
6Government officials later said the reduction was a mistake - calling it a glitch. They said it would be fixed.
7Australian state broadcaster ABC reported that at least 16 people were killed in the unrest.
8Rioting in Port Moresby killed nine people, while seven were reported dead in the northern city of Lae.
9Local video showed thousands of people in the streets of Port Moresby, Reuters news agency reported.
10Many carried what appeared to be looted goods as black smoke rose over the city.
11The French news agency AFP reported at least 25 people were treated with gunshot wounds at a hospital in the capital.
12In addition, at least six people were treated for knife injuries, AFP said.
13Marape told reporters there was evidence that "organized rioting" had taken place. He promised the government would "secure democracy" and the "rule of law."
14He said about 1,000 military troops were standing by to be deployed to areas experiencing further unrest.
15Reuters reported that violence had eased in the capital Thursday.
16Many stores, banks and other businesses were closed as owners sought to repair property damage.
17Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was watching the situation but had not received any requests for help.
18"We continue to urge calm at this difficult time," he told reporters.
19Australia has in the past supported policing efforts in Papua and the two nations recently signed a security agreement.
20Papua New Guinea is home to 10 million people and about 800 languages.
21Farming is an important industry, but the country also holds rich resources including gold and copper.
22Tensions in the country have been rising along with unemployment and living costs.
23This has led to an increase in violent crime over the past year.
24Marape has said improving the security situation will help bring in more foreign investment.
25I'm Bryan Lynn.
1The government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency on Thursday after at least 16 people were killed in rioting. 2After declaring the emergency, Prime Minister James Marape told a news conference that the government would take steps to prevent further "lawlessness." 3Speaking directly to the people of the South Pacific country, Marape said, "This is your country as much as it's my country. Breaking the law does not achieve certain outcomes." 4The unrest began Wednesday in the capital, Port Moresby, after hundreds of police officers, soldiers and other government workers walked off their jobs. The workers had discovered an unexpected pay cut. Government officials later said the reduction was a mistake - calling it a glitch. They said it would be fixed. 5Australian state broadcaster ABC reported that at least 16 people were killed in the unrest. Rioting in Port Moresby killed nine people, while seven were reported dead in the northern city of Lae. 6Local video showed thousands of people in the streets of Port Moresby, Reuters news agency reported. Many carried what appeared to be looted goods as black smoke rose over the city. 7The French news agency AFP reported at least 25 people were treated with gunshot wounds at a hospital in the capital. In addition, at least six people were treated for knife injuries, AFP said. 8Marape told reporters there was evidence that "organized rioting" had taken place. He promised the government would "secure democracy" and the "rule of law." He said about 1,000 military troops were standing by to be deployed to areas experiencing further unrest. 9Reuters reported that violence had eased in the capital Thursday. Many stores, banks and other businesses were closed as owners sought to repair property damage. 10Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was watching the situation but had not received any requests for help. "We continue to urge calm at this difficult time," he told reporters. Australia has in the past supported policing efforts in Papua and the two nations recently signed a security agreement. 11Papua New Guinea is home to 10 million people and about 800 languages. Farming is an important industry, but the country also holds rich resources including gold and copper. 12Tensions in the country have been rising along with unemployment and living costs. This has led to an increase in violent crime over the past year. Marape has said improving the security situation will help bring in more foreign investment. 13I'm Bryan Lynn. 14The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. 15___________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17achieve - v. to succeed in doing something good, usually by working hard 18loot - v. to steal from shops or homes during a period of war or violence