Chaos at Bekasi prison

JAKARTA (JP): A fire gutted part of Bulak Kapal Penitentiary in Bekasi on Sunday night following a vicious fight between two rival prison gangs.

Widio, head of the prison's guidance section, said that at least five prisoners had been shot and a jailer wounded after being stoned by the prisoners.

His office, he said, still had no idea whether or not any of the prisoners took advantage of the incident to escape.

"We've still busy over here and have yet to count the prisoners," he told The Jakarta Post over the phone.

Four of the five wounded prisoners were shot in the leg and the other in his chin, he said.

Widio said he did not know who fired the shoots as the scene was already heavily guarded by police and military officers.

"I even have no idea about the type of the bullets," he said, adding that all of the six injured people had been admitted to Bekasi General Hospital.

Widio said he and his colleagues did not yet know the background of the incident, but another staffer said the clash was sparked by a misunderstanding between the prisoners.

Detik.com reported late on Sunday night that the dispute was triggered after members of the other gang asked for money from the relatives of a rival group member.

While the two groups were fighting, a fire started in the prison canteen. (08)