PNG PM TO VISIT TROUBLED PROVINCE

Port Moresby: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister was due to visit the capital of Southern Highlands yesterday which is in the grip of politically-driven unrest. Peter O’Neill’s government declared a state of emergency in the province following last week’s rampage in Mendi by supporters of a losing election candidate.

They destroyed a commercial aircraft at Mendi airport, and set fire to local courthouses, the provincial governor’s residence and other buildings.

As part of the emergency provisions, PNG’s government has suspended the provincial government and ordered extra deployments of armed forces.

Following this, supporters of the suspended government in the province’s west have been mobilising with high-powered weapons, threatening violence.

Police and community leaders in Southern Highlands have described the unrest as a political problem.