Students Shot In Kinshasa

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32007, 6 June 1969, Page 9

Students Shot In Kinshasa

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) KINSHASA, June 5. Six students were killed and a dozen injured yesterday in Kinshasa, in an outbreak of violence blamed by the Government on foreign embassies and trouble-makers.

Radio Kinshasa also announced that four Government soldiers were seriously injured, two officers missing and two more in a grave condition in hospital. _ Trouble flared yesterday morning when Congolese troops opened fire on university and high school students demonstrating against the Government.

An inquest had been opened and the culprits would be severely punished, the official radio said. Earlier, informed sources said nine students had been shot dead as the demonstrators marched on the city from Lovanium University. President Mobutu has ordered the university to be closed.

The official Government version said that the students, manipulated by troublemakers and specialists in subversion, had hurled Molo-

tov cocktails at the forces of order who were trying to keep them on their campus.

“Certain embassies introduced the virus of subversion, and of strife for strife’s sake.” The radio said that it was strange that the students had set about demanding higher grants just as President Mobutu had decided to improve their conditions. Paratroops carrying guns patrolled Kinshasa’s main street during the day, and troops guarded the central post office and Government buildings. Mr Pierre Riviere, Kinshasa correspondent for the French news agency, Agence France Presse, was asked to leave the Congo Republic within 24 hours.

He was told that his version of yesterday’s incidents might be harmful to the country’s interests.