Punjabi detainee Manjit Singh speaks to SBS Punjabi from Manus Island

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

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

SBS Punjabi spoke to Punjabi man Manjit Singh, who is holed up inside Manus Island detention centre, even after it has been decommissioned by the Australian government.


Speaking up publicly for the first time, Manjit Singh described the 'awful' conditions inside the detention centre, ever since the water, electricity or sanitation facilities have been cut. 

Manjit had come by boat from Indonesia to Christmas Island in 2013, after which he was moved was to the Manus Island detention centre.

 He told SBS Punjabi, " Soon after the detention centre was closed by the Australian government, there was looting - all chairs and desks are now gone - in fact most things have been looted."

He says that they have been attacked several times in the past, and now fears for his life.
Manjit Singh, one of the two Punjabi men detained at Manus Island detention centre
Manjit Singh, one of the two Punjabi men detained at Manus Island detention centre Source: Supplied
Declining to give a reason why he chose to come to Australia by boat, and not by applying for any other visa, Manjit said, "I paid well over Rs 15 lakhs to the agent to send me to Australia, and more money to the person who put me on the boat."

Hear his interview by clicking on the audio link above.

To know more about this story and to hear an interview with Ravinder Singh, the other Punjabi man detained in Manus Island detention centre since 2013, please click on the link below

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