Students flee Hagen college
Elias Lari; 22/7/08
Classes at the Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands province, were suspended yesterday following a violent confrontation between students and villagers last Sunday afternoon. In a meeting held yesterday between police, college administration and the local community, the villagers demanded K900,000 from the college for damages done to their homes and properties as a result of the fight. The fight on Sunday was a follow-up from last Friday’s clash in which locals stormed the college and assaulted and injured the principal, James Wia, and two male students. The Friday incident happened at about 2pm when villagers, believed to be supporters of council candidates, demanded the students to leave their classes and join voting for the Holy Trinity ward in the LLG elections. On Sunday, a peace mediation between the two groups turned sour when the students and locals fought again.