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NT Police are investigating a suspicious death in the remote community of Alpurrurulam. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
In short:
Northern Territory Police are investigating a suspicious death in the isolated community of Alpurrurulam, also known as Lake Nash.
The woman who died was allegedly physically assaulted prior to her death.
Alpurrurulam has recently been stricken with unrest and does not have a permanent police presence, after the closure of its station in 2018.
Northern Territory Police say a woman in the remote community of Alpurrurulam, west of Mount Isa on the Queensland border, has died after she was allegedly physically assaulted in the early hours of this morning.
Police have said they are treating the death as suspicious, with specialist police units currently travelling to the location, about 1,500 kilometres from Darwin, and less than 20km from the Queensland border.
Superintendent Mark Bland has confirmed a male is in custody and "assisting with police inquiries" over the incident.
Alpurrurulam is around 360 kilometres from the nearest city, Mount Isa. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
"Around 5:30am this morning, police received a report from the local clinic that a woman had died after allegedly being physically assaulted," police said in a statement.
"Local police, with assistance from Avon Downs police, are currently responding to the incident with detectives from the Crime Command and Forensics travelling to the community."
Police have not yet released the victim's or the the alleged offender's ages or any further details of the incident.
Alpurrurulam, also known as Lake Nash, has been struggling with internal community unrest, which saw the recent evacuation of its clinic staff from the community.
It is also currently unclear what level of staffing was at the clinic at the time of the woman's assault and death.
NT Health has been contacted for comment.
No permanent police presence
There has not been a permanent police station in Alpurrurulam since 2018, with the closest officers stationed 170 kilometres away at remote Avon Downs.
Alpurrurulam is a dry community, but the Barkly Regional Council has reported large quantities of black market supply are being transported over the border from Queensland.
The electorate's local NT member, Chansey Paech, said in a statement this morning he was "deeply saddened to hear reports this morning of a tragic loss of life in Alpurrrurulam".
Chansey Paech has questioned why additional police resources have not been directed to Alpurrurulam. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
"[This is] a community that has been desperately calling out for more help, resources and support in recent months," he said.
"My thoughts are with the family, loved ones and the entire community at this difficult time.
"But serious questions need to be asked about what is being done to support this community and respond to the concerns residents have been raising."
Mr Paech accused the NT government of "ignoring the bush" and urged it to take action on extra police resourcing for the community and efforts to better combat illegal alcohol supply.
The NT government has been contacted for comment.