At least 17 prisoners, including political prisoners, were injured when authorities at Pyapon Prison in Ayeyarwady Region opened fire on a riot at the prison on the evening of 31 March.
A source close to the Prisons Department said: “Both the prison authorities and the police and soldiers opened fire to crack down on the unrest. They said the prison authorities called in the soldiers. In fact, it was a confrontation between the prisoners and the prison staff. That led to the riots.”
The prison authorities claimed that the prisoners harmed them, prompting them to call in the junta soldiers and police to crack down on the unrest.
There were also reports that some prisoners at Pyapon Prison tried to break through the prison’s main gate, leading the junta’s soldiers and police to open fire with guns. Details of the incident were not yet known.
However, sources close to the Prisons Department confirmed that at least 17 prisoners, including political prisoners, were injured in the shooting.
After the incident, a member of the prison staff and at least 17 prisoners received medical treatment, a former political prisoner said.
“We have heard that they are in the prison hospital. Political prisoners are also among them. We don’t have details about the extent of their injuries yet. But I am sure they are receiving medical treatment. The prison has also been locked down,” he said.
Sources close to the Prisons Department stated that the prison authorities are disseminating false information, alleging that the incident occurred because the prisoners instigated riots and attempted a prison break.
Sent by NMG.