March 18th, 2022
At least seven inmates including a member of the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), were killed and around 30 others injured in a shooting in Kalay prison in Sagaing Region on the evening of March 15th, according to a local close to Kalay prison.
As the political prisoners were dissatisfied with discrimination by the prison authorities in Kalay prison, there was a quarrel between prison authorities and inmates since around 4 pm on March 15th.
“Prison staff and jailors oppress and discriminate against political prisoners. The guards from the huts fired the shots while the inmates were quarrelling with prison authorities. According to the statement, seven inmates were killed. But the actual number of those killed in the shooting may be higher than that. Around 30 inmates were injured,” he added.
Among those killed in the shooting is CNDF member Salai Sha Lun Shan Htan Lyan (aka) Van Damme. The military council arrested him in June in 2021 while he was performing his duty for the revolution in Kalay. Then, he was detained in Kalay prison.
The spokesperson of the CNDF said: “According to the military council’s statement, they attempted to escape from the prison. The military had to shoot them in order to control the situation. It is impossible for those who have not even a needle to attempt to escape from the prison. The authorities are in a position to control the situation without shooting even if there is a riot. This is an immoral act of the terrorist military council.”
According to the military council’s statement on March 15th, the authorities had to fire warning shots as around 50 prisoners and inmates attempted to escape from Kalay prison by taking three officers including an in-charge as hostages.
A total of 12 men were injured and six inmates and one prisoner, killed in the incident.
The military council transported the remains of the inmates to the Kalay People’s Hospital at night.
A local close to Kalay prison said: “It is certain that the military transported the dead bodies to the mortuary of the people’s hospital between 8 pm and 9 pm, by car. The incident runs counter to the statement. Because the military always issues fraudulent statements.”
Those killed in the shooting are Chin Min Ko, Myo Min Tun, Tu Khaing, Nyunt Win Aung, Win Ko Naung, U Tin Pe and Sha Lon Shan Htan Lyan, according to the statement by the military council.
Sent by KMG.