Police in Manus Province are investigating the death of a refugee this week.
33-year-old Kamil Hussain, of Pakistan nationality, was allegedly found drowned at a waterfall at Rossun village, on Tuesday.
It has been reported that on Tuesday, at about 4.30pm, the deceased with his friends went to the waterfall for a swim. His body was found two hours later.
Acting Provincial Police Commander for Manus, Inspector David Yapu, said the refugee was rushed to Lorengau General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Kamil’s body is now at the Hospital morgue, pending an autopsy to determine the cause of his death.
The death has re-enforced calls by the PPC to control the movement of the refugees around Lorengau and the neighbouring villages.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision to declare the Manus Processing Centre unconstitutional, refugees have been given the freedom to walk around town.
Both the PPC, Manus Open MP Ronnie Knight and concerned Lorengau residents have raised fears about this freedom of movement; not only for their safety, but there were allegations of them engaging in illegal activities.
Following the refugee’s death on Tuesday, PPC Yapu is repeating his call to relevant authorities to control the refugees’ movement within town limits so they can be easily monitored.
He said they are foreigners and are not familiar with the locality and the geographical area of the province. Their safety is paramount until such a time when the PNG and Australian Government make a decision on their resettlement.
(Picture: RNZ)