On October 18, 2024, tensions erupted near Gordon Market in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, following a police operation aimed at evicting informal vendors from an area that has become notorious for crime. According to Inspector Robert Wane, this region had become a hotspot for criminal activities, where malicious individuals targeted vulnerable victims, including women.
During the operation, a confrontation escalated into violence, creating significant tensions in the market. A police reservist was injured by a street vendor while attempting to enforce the law against illegal trading.
To ensure the safety of citizens, the authorities decided to temporarily close Gordon Market and the surrounding shops.
