'We've been treated worse than criminals' say Punjabi men inside Manus Island detention centre

"It's been four or five days since the water and electricity supplies were cut. We've have dug up holes in the detention centre and are drinking the dirty water from underground. Many people have fallen sick already. We have no food supply at all", Ravinder Singh told SBS Punjabi this morning.

Manjit Singh (left) and Ravinder Singh (right) - the two Punjabi men detained at Manus Island detention centre Source: Supplied

Ravinder and another Punjabi man, Manjit Singh have been staying at Manus Island detention centre for four years now. Ever since the Australian government decommissioned the centre last week, they, alongwith almost 600 other detainees, are refusing to leave the centre, seeking a final resettlement.

Protests inside the Manus Island detention centre Source: Supplied

"We are being treated much worse than criminals, even though we haven't committed any crime.  Really, the conditions here are much worse than in a jail. It is fine if the Australian government doesn't want to resettle us in Australian - they can send us to New Zealand and Canada, who are willing to accept us. Enough is enough."

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton had said on July 19 this year, that the Manus Island centre will close by the end of October. even if the refugees interviewed by the US government are not resettled until the start of that month. Immigration officials have warned refugees that if they continue to refuse to move, it could affect their applications to resettle in the United States.

Inside the Manus Island detention centre Source: Supplied

Speaking exclusively to SBS Punjabi, Ravinder said "everything is very unclear. I had received a 'negative' assessment, but New Zealand had offered to accept me - yet the Australian government won't allow that."

Aged 28 and 29, Ravinder and Manjit met each other at Christmas Island in 2013, where both of them had arrived separately by boat. 

Ravinder says," I reached Christmas Island on 23 July 2013, and stayed there for five months. Manjit arrived a month after me. Later in the year, we were forcibly moved to Manus Island, with our hands tied by a wire. We have been here ever since."

Detainees inside Manus Island Centre after being decommissioned by the Australian government Source: Supplied

"There are around 600 people inside the centre at the moment. All of them are males, and come from around 15-16 countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sudan."

"We were very hopeful of some resolution, but yesterday, the PNG Supreme Court has dismissed our appeal. So we really don't know what to do. We protest every day and are standing by each other."

Detainees inside Manus Island Centre sleeping in the open Source: Supplied

'It is so hot over here - we've moved our beds out in the courtyard, and that's where we all remain. We had food coming to us by boat in the first two days after the centre was closed, but that has been stopped now. So we've dug these holes in the earth - and even though the water is dirty, we're drinking it."

Holes being dug in the earth, so that the detainees can drink water after the supplies have been cut Source: Supplied

"Many people have fallen sick after drinking this dirty water and there are no medical facilities. Yesterday, one of the sick men was taken to Lorengau (the local township), and he was just given some Panadol. There's no one here to help us."

"There are no guards or policemen over here, and we really fear for our lives."

'We are being asked to move to the hillside, or to Lorengau, but that's very dangerous for us. The local people have already threatened that if we are let out in the community, either they will do self-harm, or they will attack us."

'We are very fearful of the locals. Earlier this year, one of the detainees went to the local shop and his arm was cut off by a sword."

"Even the security people have attacked us in the past. The detention centre is based inside a Naval camp."

'I remember we've been attacked inside the detention centre many times - in 2014, in 2015 and even this year. Eight or nine people have already died inside the detention centre, so we are really feel our lives are in danger."

Protests inside the Manus Island detention centre Source: Supplied

Talking about his journey by boat to Christmas Island, he said, "I was ill-advised by the agent. I was sent to Malaysia and I was told I would be able to enter Australia from there."

'A Pakistani man took $15,000 US from me, took away my passport and sent me to Indonesia - from where I took the boat to Christmas Island".

"My advice to anyone listening is - please never take a boat to come to Australia. Otherwise, all of your years of youth will be wasted in camps - and for nothing."

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