Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has declared a State of Emergency in the city of Port Moresby to give time for the city to recover and also for investigations to be conducted into what had happened that led to the riots on Wednesday.
A peaceful protest over a payroll "glitch" spilled into violence on the streets of Port Moresby, leaving at least 16 dead.
Police were among those protesting after their fortnightly pay packets were short up to 300 Kina, which is about half the salary of a junior employee.
Marape says the recommendation put forth by the National Security Advisory Committee and the National Security Council was to have 14 days for the State of Emergency.
The Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Donald Yamasobi has been made Controller of the State of Emergency and pushed to Acting Police Commissioner while Deputy Commissioner Sam Kua has been made Yamasobi's second.
Police Commissioner David Manning has been suspended during the State of Emergency.
Marape says that this will allow for investigations into what had happened with the officers involved in the stop-work protest and deal with them.
He says these officers didn't follow protocol to air their issues, instead opted to go on a stop work, which directly led to the riots.
Also, the secretaries for the Department of Finance, Personnel Management and Treasury are suspended to allow for investigations.
He also says Yamasobi will be looking into how to get food and fuel for the city residence which is now part of the Terms of Reference for the State of Emergency.
Source: PNG Haus Bung/ABC News
