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PNG police enter Manus asylum centre, Australia confirms PNG police enter Manus asylum centre, Australia confirms
(about 2 hours later)
Police in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have entered a former Australian-run detention centre in a bid to get asylum seekers who remain there to leave, the Australian government has confirmed.Police in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have entered a former Australian-run detention centre in a bid to get asylum seekers who remain there to leave, the Australian government has confirmed.
Hundreds of men have refused to leave the Manus Island centre since it was shut down on 31 October, citing fears for their safety.Hundreds of men have refused to leave the Manus Island centre since it was shut down on 31 October, citing fears for their safety.
On Thursday, multiple men inside the centre said that PNG police had given them a one-hour deadline to leave. On Thursday, the men inside the centre said that PNG police had given them a one-hour deadline to leave.
Australia said it was a PNG operation.Australia said it was a PNG operation.
Under a controversial policy, Australia has detained asylum seekers who arrive by boat in camps on Manus Island and Nauru, a small Pacific nation.Under a controversial policy, Australia has detained asylum seekers who arrive by boat in camps on Manus Island and Nauru, a small Pacific nation.
Australia shut down the Manus Island centre after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, urging asylum seekers to move to transit centres elsewhere on the island.Australia shut down the Manus Island centre after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, urging asylum seekers to move to transit centres elsewhere on the island.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed a police operation was under way on Thursday. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his nation would "not be pressured" into accepting the men, reiterating a long-held policy that such a move would encourage human trafficking.
"The Australian taxpayers have paid about $10 million for a new facility and we want people to move," he told Sydney radio station 2GB. "They should obey the law and the lawful authorities of Papua New Guinea," Mr Turnbull said.
"Obviously, it is in the end an issue for PNG police and the authorities up there but there is an operation involving police at the centre this morning." One refugee, Abdul Aziz Adam, said about 420 asylum seekers remained in the centre on Thursday, and they would act only peacefully.
One refugee, Abdul Aziz Adam, said a large amount of police officers had entered the compound. He told the BBC a large number of police officers had entered the compound.
"They had a really big microphone in their hands and started telling people 'you have to move'," he told the BBC, describing the police action as aggressive. "They had a really big microphone in their hands and started telling people 'you have to move'. They are taking all the phones away, destroying all the rooms and belongings and everything," he said.
He said about 420 asylum seekers had gathered in one section of the centre, many of them linking arms, but he insisted they would "not respond" in any way. Another refugee, Behrouz Boochani, tweeted that an Australian police officer appeared to be "guiding" some local officers. This was denied by Australian Federal Police, who said they had no involvement in the operation.
The men have spent more than three weeks without electricity and running water, while food supplies have dwindled. The men have refused to leave because of fears they will be attacked in the local community. Rights groups say that asylum seekers have been attacked in the past.
They have refused to leave because of fears they will be attacked in the local community. Rights groups say that asylum seekers have been attacked in the past. Wait for resolution
Hwyel Griffith, BBC News Sydney correspondent
This is the most direct action so far by the PNG authorities, but it doesn't mean the stand-off is ending.
In the last three weeks deadlines have come and gone, water supplies have been repeatedly disrupted, food has dwindled, and parts of the centre have been dismantled.
With each step the resolve of the men who want to remain there seems only to have increased.
They are anxious to try and keep the spotlight on Manus Island, and are likely to resist removal for as long as physically possible.
Australia has repeatedly said that the alternative accommodation is ready.Australia has repeatedly said that the alternative accommodation is ready.
However, the UN's refugee agency said on Tuesday that housing remained "under construction", was inadequately secured, and lacked "the most basic services" such as a medical care.However, the UN's refugee agency said on Tuesday that housing remained "under construction", was inadequately secured, and lacked "the most basic services" such as a medical care.
"We were there and saw for ourselves that they are trying to complete the site as quickly as possible," said deputy regional representative Nai Jit Lam."We were there and saw for ourselves that they are trying to complete the site as quickly as possible," said deputy regional representative Nai Jit Lam.
The UN has said a majority of the men have refugee status.
Future unclear
Canberra has steadfastly ruled out allowing the men into Australia, arguing it would prompt further human trafficking and lead to deaths at sea.Canberra has steadfastly ruled out allowing the men into Australia, arguing it would prompt further human trafficking and lead to deaths at sea.
Refugees had been given the option of permanent resettlement in PNG, applying to live in Cambodia, or requesting a transfer to Nauru. Advocates say few have taken up these options.
The US has agreed to take up to 1,250 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru under a resettlement deal. However, it may ultimately accept fewer than that.
New Zealand has offered to take 150 refugees from the PNG centre, but Canberra has resisted this proposal - arguing it would effectively be a "back door" to Australia.