Prison riot in southern Thailand injures 25

[News_Editor]

Prison riot in southern Thailand injures 25

2011-06-19 00:04:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- At least 20 police officers and five defense volunteers were injured on Saturday when a riot broke out at a provincial prison in southern Thailand, the Bangkok Post reported.

According to the report, the inmates at Narathiwat provincial prison hurled wood sticks and stones at the officers after about 150 joint police, military and civil forces searched for drugs at the first and second floors of the prisoners' dormitory to suppress illegal drugs.

Three of the inmates at the prison reportedly got angry by the search for drugs and urged other prisoners to act against the operation. As a result, 20 policemen and five territory defense volunteers were injured. None of the inmates were injured.

Narathiwat governor Thanon Vejkornkanont and the prison's commander Suphot Sowanthith rushed to the scene to control the situation. After several hours of negotiation, order was restored when the inmates gave up.

Despite the riot, authorities recovered about 1,000 methamphetamine pills and 20 mobile phones hidden inside the dormitory. Vejkornkanont meanwhile has ordered the transfer of the leaders of the riot to prevent any further clashes inside the prison.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-19

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