Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, has been plunged into chaos as violent riots erupted, leaving at least 15 people dead and prompting Prime Minister James Marape to declare a state of emergency on Thursday.

The unrest was triggered by a police strike on Wednesday over a perceived pay cut, leading to widespread looting, arson, and destruction.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation, expressing concern over the escalating situation.
“Breaking the law does not achieve certain outcomes,” he remarked, announcing a 14-day state of emergency in Port Moresby. More than 1,000 troops are on standby to intervene “wherever necessary.”

The violence began after police and public servants protested outside parliament upon discovering a significant reduction in their wages, attributed to a computer glitch.

The prime minister assured that the pay cut was an administrative error and would be rectified in the next pay cycle. However, protesters, dissatisfied with the explanation, attempted to storm the parliament building.

The unrest, marked by torched shops, cars, and looted supermarkets, resulted in eight confirmed deaths at the Port Moresby General Hospital, with an additional seven reported in the city of Lae, the country’s second-largest.

The absence of police presence allowed residents to ransack shops and wreak havoc.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop described the situation as unprecedented, attributing the looting to “opportunists.” Some reports indicated violence perpetrated by police demonstrators.

The turmoil intensified as misinformation spread on social media, falsely claiming that the government was imposing higher income taxes.

Marape dismissed these claims, emphasizing the role of misinformation during the police strike.

According to BBC, residents witnessed chaotic scenes, with buildings set on fire, small shopping centers destroyed, and cars stolen.

Economic pressures and unemployment contributed to the participation of individuals from poorer settlements outside the city.

Amid the unrest, ambulance officials attended to shooting injuries, and the US embassy reported shots near its compound.

The Chinese embassy complained, that several Chinese businesses were attacked, resulting in injuries to two Chinese nationals.

Papua New Guinea, grappling with economic challenges, rising inflation, and unemployment, faces increased public resentment towards the government.

The political opposition is working on a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Marape, scheduled for February.