Photo – MOI
Mizzima
17 inmates were injured at Pyapon Prison, in Ayeyarwady Region when prisoners rioted and junta soldiers opened fire on them, on 31 March 2024.
According to the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM), the confrontation began at around 5:00 pm on 31 March. The army and police were called to the prison and they reportedly beat and tortured inmates they suspected of being involved in the riot.
17 prisoners, some of whom were political prisoners, and one police officer were injured, the extent of their injuries are currently unknown.
The prison authorities are also considering extending the sentences of the 17 injured prisoners, according to a PPNM representative, Theik Tun Oo.
Explaining what happened, Theik Tun Oo said: “There was a riot when they [the police and army] came in. They opened fire to keep the peace.”
Though specific details surrounding the events at Pyapon Prison are still unclear, a resident of Pyapon said that on 31 March a riot broke out among prisoners due to unwarranted violence by the prison staff. The junta then opened fire and residents reported hearing at least five gunshots from the prison.
Explaining the reasons for the unrest in the prison, Theik Tun Oo said: “The prison chief stated that some prisoners were planning a prison break and intended to hold some prison officials hostage. However, we are cautious about endorsing this statement as we have not heard directly from the prisoners involved.”
On 1 April heightened security measures were put in place at the prison and junta troops were deployed inside the prison. Inmates were also banned from receiving visitors and the prison stopped accepting parcels for any prisoners, according to local revolutionary forces who also said that some roads near the prison had been closed.
No official statement has been released by the military council regarding the incident. Attempts to reach out to the Prison Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs by Mizzima have, so far, been unsuccessful.
This most recent incident is similar to a previous incident at Pathein Prison, also in Ayeyarwady Region, when, on 5 January 2023, political prisoners protested on hearing rumours that a teacher had been executed and the junta opened fire on them. In that incident, one prisoner, Wai Yan Phyo, was killed and more than 10 other prisoners were seriously injured.
