Former detainees refusing to leave the shut-down Manus Island centre spent the night in compounds without electricity.
Abdul Aziz Adam said the refugees intended to carry out peaceful resistance and were determined to stay. Photo: Screengrab / Supplied
Power was cut to most of the complex and running water to some compounds in the Australian-run centre in Papua New Guinea last night as it officially closed down.
Around 600 refugees are refusing to leave.
One of the detainees, Kurdish journalist Behrouz Boochani, said some kept watch in case of attacks and a large part of the centre had no access to electricity.
Refugees say they have rationed food supplies and drinking water.
They've been warned that arrangements will be made today for the centre to be returned to the PNG defence force who will evict them to buildings in the island's Lorengau town.
Photo: Supplied
Staff disappeared at dawn yesterday before locals reportedly entered the centre - looting fans, tents and furniture.
"They've been storing rainwater ... they've been rationing what little food and drinking water they have left." - RNZ Pacific's Ben Robinson Drawbridge
Refugee Abdul Aziz Adam said the departure of Australian staff was negligent.
"Australia walked away ... and then this is what happened, the locals now ... they can come inside kill everyone do whatever they want."
He said the refugees were determined to stay.
Protests inside the detention centre Photo: supplied
Yesterday locals staged two separate protests over the refugees.
Under the banner of the Manus Alliance Against Human Rights Abuse, about 200 people marched 3km to the provincial government building.
The group's deputy chair Ben Wamoi presented a petition to the governor with a list of demands they want conveyed to Australia.
"We demand that Australia complete its obligations to sent the asylum seekers back to Australia and to process them there for final settlement to a third country of their choice."
Photo: Supplied
Another group of locals reportedly protested against the refugees, calling for them not to be relocated from the detention centre into Lorengau town.