Security guards surrounded the Delta compound on Monday afternoon, but broke through the barricaded front gate.
Around 170 asylum seekers from Delta Compound have been taken out the Manus Island Detention Centres in the aftermath of the raid on the barricaded compound. Up to 17 people were also arrested in Oscar compound as the Immigration Department continues its hunt for “ring-leaders”.
There are also reports of a number of people being injured in the raid and subsequent arrests.
Around 60 of the asylum seekers are being held in Lorengau Prison.
A police truck returned a number of times to Delta Compound carrying away piles of the asylum seekers’ property.
This use of force has confirmed the worst fears of the asylum seekers that they are not safe on Manus Island.
“We are extremely concerned for the safety of the asylum seekers taken from Delta Compound. Given the history of PNG police violence on Manus, there is an urgent need for independent supervision of those in police custody,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The attack on Delta Compound has resolved nothing, except increase the determination of the asylum seekers to continue their protest.”
As of Monday night – over 600 people in the detention centre remain on hunger strike.
See this link for video footage of the attack on Delta as seen from Oscar compound.
The commentary accompanying the video say, “Who is responsible for these people? They only want freedom. Now they are being bashed by Wilson’s and nobody can help them. Whoever is watching this video, please help us.”
Some voices can be heard in the background asking for help.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713