Aurukun man claims assault in custody. 10/01/2007. ABC News Online

A man whose arrest sparked a riot at Aurukun overnight has complained of being assaulted while in police custody.

It has also been revealed a police officer used his private hand gun to fire a warning shot during the melee.

About 300 people were involved in the riot and damaged the tavern, a shop and the police station.

The unrest happened after a local man arrested for an assault fell ill while in police custody.

He was flown to the Cairns Hospital for treatment and is now in the Cairns watch-house.

Officers from the Ethical Standards Command and the Crime and Misconduct Commission are on their way to Cairns to investigate the man's complaint.

Acting Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the man was examined twice by doctors, but she says it appears his injuries occurred before he was arrested.

She says the medical assessments will be part of the investigation into the incident.

"I need to be very cautious because these matters need to be investigated," she said.

"But I understand there was some minor injuries to the person that appear to be some 48-hours-old and may have occurred to him prior to his arrest.

"But this is preliminary information that requires full investigation and confirmation."

Queensland's Communities Minister, Warren Pitt, agrees there has been a breakdown in the relationship between police and the Indigenous community.

Aboriginal activists say the Aurukun incident has echoes of the death in custody and riot on Palm Island two years ago.

They want the Government to reinstate the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio.

Mr Pitt rejects the call but says the Government is working hard to rebuild its relationship with Indigenous people.

"That behoves all of us to work closely together with police, the local community and anyone else who can bring anything positive to the table to help rebuild that trust," he said.

"That's not something that happens overnight, these circumstances do leave scars."