A remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory has been rocked by four days of large-scale violence involving hundreds of aboriginals fighting with weapons and attacking police.
The Northern Territory Police Force said it was investigating “a high volume of disturbances” that erupted between January 1 and January 4 in Maningrida, which has a population of about 2,500 and is located 500km east of Darwin in Arnhem Land.
Police said some of the clashes involved over 200 combatants, some allegedly armed with weapons, and the community unrest was being fuelled by retribution for social media posts.
Videos circulating online show men brawling in the street while young children watch on.
Local officers have made 10 arrests, including a 31-year-old man who allegedly drove recklessly through the community and crashed after nearly hitting a police vehicle.
He was arrested, charged with recklessly endanger life and other related driving offences, remanded in custody, and faced Darwin Local Court on Monday.
“This fighting is being driven by social media posts and retributions as a result” Senior Sergeant Glenn Leafe said.
“The majority of the Maningrida community are not involved, but are further negatively impacted as vital policing, medical and other essential services are diverted to respond to the senseless fighting.
“The disgraceful conduct of these individuals is not representative the Maningrida community and those involved will be held accountable.
“Police are continuing to work closely with Traditional Owners and key community stakeholders to strengthen engagement efforts and help reduce tensions within the community.”
One police officer was allegedly assaulted during one of the incidents and suffered minor injuries, and investigations are ongoing into several offences, with multiple persons of interest identified and extra police deployed from Darwin to keep the peace.
The Maningrida Council Office and Post Office stayed closed on Monday “due to community violence”, the West Arnhem Regional Council said.
The unrest comes just a month after Country Liberal Party MP Steve Edgington visited the community to open two four-bedroom and two five-bedroom public housing homes that are part of a $4 billion government initiative to provide more housing across the Northern Territory.
In the week before Christmas police were deployed to another remote aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, Ramingining, after dozens of people fought with blunt and edged weapons outside the local clinic.
Header image: Left, right, fights erupt in Maningrida last week (supplied).
