Police open fire on protesting students in Papua New Guinea

Police in Papua New Guinea opened fire on students rallying in the capital Port Moresby on Wednesday, reports said, indicating that up to seven were injured.

Students have been in a month-long standoff with authorities over Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's refusal to comply with a warrant for his arrest.

Local media said the clashes broke out as students prepared to march to parliament, where O'Neill is due to face a no confidence vote.

"They fired shots, they fired shots directly at the crowd," student Gerald Peni told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Many of the students they fell, they got injured, we don't know how many casualties we may have at the moment."

PNG broadcaster EMTV said on its Twitter feed that seven people had been injured.

"At least seven students have been injured in the last hour following clashes with police in Papua New Guinea's capital," it said.

Police in Port Moresby told AFP they were unable to confirm or deny the claims.

Source: AFP