Pacific Briefs

Student, police clash claims life in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (PIR) — A man who was injured during clashes last week between police and pro-independence students died in the hospital, medical officials said.

Philipus Murib, 30, died after intensive treatment for abdominal bleeding.

Antara news agency reports that Murib was hit during a seminar when students from Cendrawasih University began ransacking tents set up on the campus by organizers advocating regional autonomy.

At least nine policemen guarding the venue were injured during the fighting.

Pacific police chiefs to fight e-crimes

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PIR) — Police commissioners attending the Australasian and South-West Pacific Police Commissioners’ Conference in Madang agreed to work together to fight electronic crime.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty cited growth of the Internet in the region as a reason for combating e-crimes.

Police officials said crime by e-mail is becoming a major threat to island economies.

One example of such crimes is the illegal movement of money from one bank account to another.

Payroll problems for American Samoa employees

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PIR) — The government is working to resolve a computer glitch that inadvertently deducted too much money from the paychecks of government employees.

An additional $10,000 was mistakenly deducted from the payrolls.

Officials said the problem resulted from a lack of communication between the Treasury Department and consultants who serviced the government computer system last week.

“There was no intention on the government’s part to over-deduct the withholdings from paychecks. We apologize and are (working) to resolve the problem,” said acting Treasurer Tifi Ale.

Indo-Fijian school faces closure over lease dispute

NADI, Fiji (PIR) — An ethnic Indian school is facing closure following an increase in its lease rent by indigenous landowners.

The school’s principal said that about 50 landowners are demanding a $30,000 increase in the school’s lease rent.

Students were forced to leave their classrooms and sit under trees while school authorities negotiated with the landowners.

Landowners have allowed to temporarily keep the school open, but warned they will close it down if their demand is not met by April 27.

Airlines closing causes Niue tourism turmoil

ALOFI, Niue (PIR) — The island’s main hotel, the $3 million Matavai Resort, closed its doors and laid off 20 employees.

Resort manager Bryce Newcombe said most hotel bookings were cancelled following the collapse three weeks ago of Royal Tongan Airlines, which serviced the island.

Niue has experienced similar adversities to its tourism industry following previous cancellations of air service flights to the island.