ON THIS DAY IN OUR HISTORY: Lae shuts down again for a day

Lae experienced a tense day as thousands of children were sent home from school and the city's commercial center shut down, driven by fears that unemployed youths might use the no-confidence vote in the Morobe government as a pretext for further violence. This precautionary shutdown aimed to prevent a repeat of the previous week's riots, which caused significant damage to shops and banks estimated in the thousands of kina.

Despite hundreds of youths taking to the streets again, the anticipated trouble did not materialize. Police were present in large numbers, but youth leaders assured them of peace. They had conveyed a statement to a special envoy for the Prime Minister, Rabbie Namaliu, and indicated they would await the outcome of discussions in Waigani. The youth leaders directed their members back to their settlements, emphasizing their desire for improved living conditions and opportunities.

Schools closed as directed by William Vermari, the assistant secretary for education in Morobe, who deemed it a necessary precaution. Shop owners also opted for early closures, with some reopening late in the afternoon once it became clear that the situation was calm. Meanwhile, at the Lae International Hotel, Father William Liebert, Namaliu's special envoy, met with youth leaders. Father Liebert expressed satisfaction with the meeting, and the youth leaders stated their intention to remain independent of political parties and groups, which they believe seek to use young people for their own agendas.