Daru town tense after 2 day riots triggered by sea hold up

A police vehicle that had its back windscreen shattered by the rioters on Daru Island today (NBC News)

Daru Island has been hit by two days of violence after local fishermen were allegedly held up at sea by armed men wearing army uniforms.

The unrest began on Saturday night when the fishermen returned to Daru and reported that masked men had taken their beche-de-mer bags and fuel and left them to paddle back. The angry fishermen then marched to the police station to lay a complaint.

The situation quickly escalated, with groups of youths and opportunists stoning shops and trying to break into business houses.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, Daru police and PNG Defence Force [PNGDF] soldiers managed to bring the violence under control on Saturday night.

Rioting started again early this morning between 6am and 7am. Police and PNGDF personnel once again stepped in and contained the situation.

Shops were looted, market stalls burnt, and four suspects have been detained. Additional police manpower is being brought into Daru (NBC News)

Authorities confirmed that four suspects were detained last night, including two PNGDF personnel, one auxiliary police staff, and a businessman,

Early reports from police indicate the following damages: targeted market stalls in town were burnt down, Leon No.2 and Donghu No. 2 shops were ransacked, and two police vehicle windscreens were stoned.

The situation has also affected travel. Air Niugini cancelled its flight to Daru today because of the unrest.

A charter flight has arrived carrying additional police personnel, and more officers are expected to be deployed soon. PNGDF soldiers stationed along the PNG-Indonesia border are also travelling by dinghy to support security operations.