Heavily armed Police deny students protest march to Australian High Commission in Port Moresby

University of Papua New Guinea students burned a copy of the signed asylum seeker deal between PNG and Australia and lowered the replica of an Australian flag yesterday when their attempt to march to the Australian High Commission was stopped by armed police. 

Hundreds of students armed with placards and banners were prevented by police from marching to the Australian High Commission office around 2'oclock yesterday afternoon.

The students had told NBC News they had police approval, but, it turned out that the letter which they gave to the Police Commissioner seeking approval never got to the Commissioner's office.

Students protest on campus. Photo credit: EMTV

President of the Students Representative Council, Peter Numu says the students respect the law and the government but will continue with a demonstration once given the clearance by police.

"We made a demonstration, we decided to march to the Australian High Commissioner for the asylum seekers deal and we asked for police clearance, but unfortunately, they said seven days notice is required before we can be cleared to host a demonstration," Mr. Numu said. 

We've decided to make a demonstration only inside the school boundaries".

Mr. Numu says as intellects, they want the asylum deal removed and the interest of the citizens becomes a priority for this nation.

Among actions they intended to take include the burning of the Australian flag in front of the Australian High Commission and call on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to cancel the asylum deal with PNG.