Multiple arrests made over ‘unrest’ in Kintore, seven sent to court in Alice Springs

‘Unrest’ has broken out in a remote Territory community again – with eight arrests made in relation, seven of which have made it to court in the Red Centre capital. Read what we know.

Street scenes in Walungurru (Kintore) NT.

A Red Centre remote community – which department of education staff were recently “withdrawn” from – is again being plagued by “unrest”, which police say has culminated in them making multiple arrests.

A Northern Territory Police spokesperson has confirmed eight arrests were made in Kintore over “community unrest” which began on November 5.

The spokesperson said additional police were deployed to the community on Monday, November 11, to deal with “an escalation in the unrest”.

Street scenes in Walungurru (Kintore) NT

Eight arrests were made by the police on Monday, the spokesperson, with seven of the arrested appearing in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

Police did not give the names or the charges of those arrested.

“Police have increased policing presence and have been conducting high visibility patrols to assist with mediation to resolve family conflict,” the spokesperson said.

“Police have not received reports of threats or offences targeting any service provider staff member, and services remain operational.

“Police believe people may have been injured but are yet to seek medical treatment or make formal complaints to police to investigate and urge them to do so.”

Kintore-based Pintupi Homelands Health Service chief executive Dr Leander Menezes. Picture: Supplied

Pintupi Homelands Health Service chief executive Leo Menezes said the police response had been “excellent in maintaining law and order”.

“They’re also actively supporting mediation efforts, the Walungurru Law and Justice Group is working to address the situation constructively,” he said.

Mr Menezes said no staff had been pulled out of town this time, however, the school was “short staffed” and doing its best “to manage under the circumstances”.

Kintore/Walungurru School. Picture: Department of Education/ Walungurru School

“Our staff at Pintupi Homelands Health Service are safe, though understandably tired. We’re doing all we can to support the community during this time,” he said.

In September, the Department of Education withdrew its staff from the community due to “attempted aggravated burglaries”, the department said at the time.

The staff were withdrawn from the community weeks from the school holidays, which began September 21.

This masthead understands the staff were back in the community in October, once school holidays ended.

The Department of Education was contacted for comment.

The police spokesperson said “stakeholders are feeling assured, supported, and appreciative of police actions” in the wake of the unrest.

Anyone with further information on the unrest is urged contact police on 131 444, or to attend their local stations in person.