August 9, 2013
SOME 260
Rohingya refugees who have been held captive for almost seven months tried
yesterday to break out of the Phang Nga Immigration Centre to celebrate the end
of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
The riot began at about 9am when some inmates tore down the doors separating
three detention cells.
They reportedly shouted and stormed the main gate to get out of the building. A
team of about 300 officers rushed in to control the situation.
Negotiators including a religious leader and representatives of human-rights
groups were sent in to calm them down but the detainees insisted on joining the
Hari Raya Eid-al-Fitri celebration outside.
Pol Maj-General Chalit Kaewyarat, provincial police chief, said the men were
upset that they were not allow to celebrate outside and since the facility was
short on staff, some Rohingya incited a mob to press their demands.
Authorities managed to disperse the rally at about 3pm. The protesters were
divided into small groups to be sent to police stations in Phang Nga province.
Previous attempt
Last month, 18 Rohingya escaped from the Phang Nga Shelter for
Children and Families and five were recaptured in Chumphon.
From January 14 to March 26, Phang Nga has apprehended 953 Rohingya boat people who had fled their restive
state in Myanmar to seek a new start in Malaysia and Indonesia. The Immigration
Centre took custody of 261Rohingya while the Shelter for Children and Families
accommodated 43 Rohingya
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