Asylum Seekers arrested on Manus Island

AS many as 26 asylum seekers may have sustained injuries after a clash with Papua New Guinea police at the Australian-run asylum seeker detention centre on Manus Island, local sources say. Riot police were called amid escalating tensions between guards and detainees on Sunday at the facility, where 1300 asylum seekers are housed. Local journalist Nick Solomon says a group of more than 30 asylum seekers broke down the beach-side, back fence to the centre and ran. After breaching the fence, the group were confronted by riot police. "They have injuries from fighting with the guards," Mr Solomon said, adding he had been told by detention centre staff 26 asylum seekers suffered injuries and were being treated on the base. "They were having, I think, a peaceful protest and one of them lit a fire, then the guards had to find out how they got the matches. "They broke down the back fence on the beach side, ran around and had a fight with security." Mr Solomon said nine asylum seekers were arrested although local MP Ron Knight said earlier on Monday that seven had been arrested. Australian staff were still inside the centre and the perimeter was being patrolled by police and defence personnel, Mr Solomon added. Tensions at the centre had been simmering after three asylum seekers were arrested last week following a fight with a guard. "Those three are now in police cells," Mr Solomon said. The CEO of Lorengau hospital, Dr Otto Numan, said his staff were on alert Sunday night after hearing about the fight between asylum seekers and guards. "We were on stand-by, just in case," he said. "But from last night to this morning, there have been no reports out about injuries." He confirmed he would only be notified if the injuries couldn't be treated on the base. Mr Knight dismissed reports of a breakout at the centre, saying PNG immigration told him this was false. "That's BS," he told AAP. "There was a fight late (Sunday) afternoon amongst themselves. "They have been arrested and will face court this week." Mr Knight said he was waiting for more information from his staff in Manus. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement on Monday "a number" of asylum seekers were arrested after a "disturbance" and the centre was now "calm" and staff were safe. News of the incident emerged after refugee advocacy groups reported a riot squad was mobilised when asylum seekers breached the centre's perimeter fence on Sunday afternoon. Mr Morrison said a number of asylum seekers had received medical treatment and there was minor property damage. Mr Morrison later told Macquarie Radio the incident ran for about an hour and quarter. "I understand that last night there were 35 transferees who, following a meeting with some of the local centre staff about a range of issues, took down a section of fence and they absconded from the centre," he said. The persons were quickly located. Mr Morrison said eight were arrested and taken to Lorengau police station. Some 19 transferees went to the centre's clinic for medical attention, "none of which was involving any sort of life threatening or serious conditions of that nature". Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the only way to avoid disturbances at detention centres was to ensure asylum seekers don't try to come to Australia by boat. "If you come to Australia illegally by boat this is, I'm afraid, what happens to you. As far as this government is concerned the way is shut," he told ABC radio. Boat arrivals are being transferred to Manus or another detention centre on Nauru and have no prospect of being settled in Australia under current government rules.

PNG Today / Post Courier