Manus cops recover buses taken by youths

 POLICE have managed to get back the four buses forcefully held by a group of youths on Manus after they claimed they were insulted by an asylum camp officer.

The youths from Los Negros Island in Manus impounded the buses belonging to the refugee camp administration.

 Acting Manus police commander David Yapu said the youths told him that an administrative officer had talked harshly to them when they were looking for jobs at the centre.

“They held the bus on Monday morning at Naringel Village after a Human Resources officer told them that they were unqualified to work in the camp,” he said.

“That officer also insulted them, prompting them to impound the buses. So I went and told them to return the buses. “I also told them that their action is uncalled for as there are administrative process to address their grievances.”  

Yapu said the buses had been returned to the camp administration.

“A camp manager also assured them of job opportunities and advised them to submit their education credentials,” he said.

Youth leader Charlie Raphael said they were not against the company but the human resource division, which treated them badly.

“We have been frequenting the project area in the past weeks seeking employment and were always been turned away,” he said.

“To make it worse a human resources officer also made discriminatory remarks at us.”