Local youths attack refugees, steal cash, belongings

TWO refugees were attacked at Lorengau in Manus last Saturday, police said.
The Manus-based refugees from Mogadishu in Somalia were walking from the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre to Lorengau town at the time.
They were confronted by two youths who demanded cash and cigarettes and when the two refugees refused, one of the youths threw a stone that hit Masud Ali on the right side of his head and he fell to the ground.
The two youths allegedly stole his Samsung Galaxy mobile phone worth K1800 and K2500 in cash and escaped.
The victim was assisted by locals and rushed to Lorengau Hospital. He needed seven stiches on the wound.
Manus police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu said the prime suspect was arrested and charged with wounding and armed robbery.
He appeared in the Lorengau District Court last Wednesday.
The other suspect is on the run but  his identity was known.
Yapu has appeal to the local community to respect the rights and freedom of the refugees on Manus Island to walk freely around in Lorengau town.
He said those refugees were categorised as genuine refugees and were waiting for the PNG and Australia governments to decide on their settlement.