VOA新闻杂志2024--Dispute over Government Pay in Papua Leads to Deadly Rioting

Dispute over Government Pay in Papua Leads to Deadly Rioting

The government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency on Thursday after at least 16 people were killed in rioting.

After declaring the emergency, Prime Minister James Marape told a news conference that the government would take steps to prevent further "lawlessness."

Speaking directly to the people of the South Pacific country, Marape said, "This is your country as much as it's my country. Breaking the law does not achieve certain outcomes."

The unrest began Wednesday in the capital, Port Moresby, after hundreds of police officers, soldiers and other government workers walked off their jobs. The workers had discovered an unexpected pay cut. Government officials later said the reduction was a mistake — calling it a glitch¹. They said it would be fixed².

Australian state broadcaster ABC reported that at least 16 people were killed in the unrest. Rioting in Port Moresby killed nine people, while seven were reported dead in the northern city of Lae.

Local video showed thousands of people in the streets of Port Moresby, Reuters news agency reported. Many carried what appeared to be looted goods as black smoke rose over the city.

The French news agency AFP reported at least 25 people were treated with gunshot wounds at a hospital in the capital. In addition, at least six people were treated for knife injuries, AFP said.

Marape told reporters there was evidence that "organized rioting" had taken place. He promised the government would "secure democracy" and the "rule of law." He said about 1,000 military troops were standing³ by to be deployed⁴ to areas experiencing further unrest.

Reuters reported that violence had eased in the capital Thursday. Many stores, banks and other businesses were closed as owners sought to repair property damage.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was watching the situation but had not received any requests for help. "We continue to urge calm at this difficult time," he told reporters. Australia has in the past supported policing efforts in Papua and the two nations recently signed a security agreement.

Papua New Guinea is home to 10 million people and about 800 languages. Farming is an important industry, but the country also holds rich resources including gold and copper⁵.

Tensions in the country have been rising along with unemployment and living costs. This has led to an increase in violent crime over the past year. Marape has said improving the security situation will help bring in more foreign investment.

Words in This Story

achieve – v. to succeed in doing something good, usually by working hard

loot – v. to steal from shops or homes during a period of war or violence

1 glitch   

n.干扰；误操作，小故障

参考例句：

• There is a glitch in the computer program somewhere.这个计算机程序中的某个部分有点小问题。
• It could just be a random glitch that can be solved by restarting the machine.可能只是一个小故障，重新启动主机就能解决了。

2 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

5 copper   

n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的

参考例句：

• The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
• Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。