Prison security tightened

Prison security tightened

Three inmates dead in Pattani riot

Charred remains: Officials inspect a damaged building at Pattani Central Prison which was set alight by inmates during a riot on Friday. The incident left three inmates dead.
Charred remains: Officials inspect a damaged building at Pattani Central Prison which was set alight by inmates during a riot on Friday. The incident left three inmates dead.

The Justice Ministry on Saturday ordered prisons and correctional institutions in five southern provinces to tighten security over the long holiday in the wake of a riot in Pattani on Friday.

A seven-hour riot at Pattani Central Prison in Muang district left three inmates dead and four guards injured.

The violence was believed to have been triggered by a protest over the institution's strict rules on inspections for mobile phones and narcotics.

Justice permanent secretary Charnchao Chaiyanukit said he instructed authorities at prisons nationwide, particularly in the far South, to beef up security measures in a bid to prevent a recurrence of the violence during the holiday period.

He said the situation at Pattani Central Prison has returned to normal after a combined team of police, soldiers and local officials moved in and arrested those involved in the violence on Friday night.

After the incident, about 300 inmates were temporarily transferred to Na Thawi District Prison, Songkhla Provincial Prison, Songkhla Central Prison and Songkhla Correctional Special Treatment Prison in Songkhla province.

Relatives of the inmates have not been allowed to visit as the prison was sealed off for investigation, cleaning and maintenance.

National Human Rights Commission member Angkhana Neelapaijit said the commission has been denied access to the prison.

She said the commission had learned of people injured inside but officials told her they needed time to put the prison in order. They said a visit would be possible after the long weekend.

Ms Angkhana said officials must release the names of the injured inmates to ease the worries of relatives. However, it has not been confirmed if there are also injured inmates.

Pattani Central Prison chief Nopparat Rattanawai said an initial investigation found the disturbance was caused by Waeusaman Waesamoh and Asawee Doloh, two inmates who were involved in a riot in Songkhla Provincial Prison last year.

After Friday's riot, Waeusaman was moved to Narathiwat Provincial Prison and Asawee to Pattani Central Prison.

Col Pramote Prom-in, a spokesman for Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, said Anwar Hayeetae, also known as Muhammad Anwan Hayeetae, was sentenced to 12 years in 2013 for posing a threat to national security and could be behind the incident.

Col Pramote said a picture showing a list of 11 demands made by the protesting inmates, which went viral on social media, was handwritten by prison guards at the urging of Anwar, who represented the inmates during negotiations with officials.

Details of the demands were not disclosed.

Col Pramote said Anwar was among key leaders who established Bunga Raya News, an alternative media outlet in the deep South. He also attended human rights activities.

Despite Anwar's wife denying her husband had written or made the demands, Col Pramote said an investigation will be conducted based on evidence and witnesses.

On Friday, a joint force of police and military were sent to the prison after Muang Pattani police were alerted by prison officials to the riot at 4.30pm.

When they arrived, about 300 inmates with covered faces threw stones and scrap wood at the guards who tried in vain to stop them. The rioters then set fire to the canteen and other property.

Ten fire trucks were called and the flames were put out.

Talks were held earlier between prison officials and rioters on a list of demands that were rejected.

As the unrest intensified, about 300 police, soldiers and local officials were deployed to arrest those involved. It ended about 11pm, leaving three inmates dead and four guards injured, according to authorities.

The three dead inmates were identified as Su-anant Pongsao, Serm Chankhunthorn and Kiatisak Chanduang. The four injured guards were Suthep Phetkiang, 56, Kartkong Rattana, 53, Sulaiman Khongkaew, 45, and Siwakorn Jitrat, 30.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (4)