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Students go on rampage in Apia
Monday,
April 28, 2008
Samoa experienced the worst student violence in history last Friday afternoon when students of the Catholic trades school Don Bosco went on a rampage smashing store windows, cars and throwing burning kerosene bottles at innocent bystanders.
One police officer and at least three people waiting for buses, were injured in the melee. A Leififi Intermediate School female student is in the Intensive Care unit with severe burns from the riot. She was walking along the seawall when a passing vehicle threw a burning bottle stuffed with rags at her. It’s believed that the riot resulted from a school rugby game and pitted Don Bosco against Avele College. Windows of businesses in Savalalo including the Bistro restaurant and Magik Cinemas were smashed.
The students also caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to cars, hitting them with rocks and metal pipes. Assistant Police Commissioner Papali’I Lio Masipau said it was the worst student violence he has seen in all his years on the force. The rampage started from the old market place in Savalalo and involved more than 40 students. School principals are discussing banning school sports and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele is calling a meeting of all school leaders to discuss how to prevent more violence.
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