The heads of Papua New Guinea's police and army have been summoned by the prime minister over a fight between their personnel.
A police landcruiser on the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby. (File photo). Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Video footage of the fight on Monday in the suburb of Boroko in PNG's capital Port Moresby shows police manhandling and stamping on a listless soldier on the ground.
Other footage shows men with guns running in the streets while gunshots are heard.
Prime Minister James Marape ordered police commissioner David Manning and defence commander Gilbert Toropo to appear before him to provide an explanation about the confrontation.
Marape has called for an immediate joint police and military investigation into the incident.
PNG's NBC news reported Marape directed all soldiers involved in the altercation to withdraw to their barracks, and for the commander and commanding officers to immediately restore order at Taurama Barracks.
The prime minister, who is also the defence minister, said most soldiers are hardworking and should now allow the ill-discipline of a few, and the ill response of police, to allow a resolvable situation to get out of hand.
Local media has reported that Monday's street-fight between soldiers and policemen was sparked by an incident on Saturday. Newspaper The National said an off-duty soldier was involved, and an official complaint was lodged by a soldier alleging misconduct by policemen.