Padang penitentiary set ablaze
PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): An estimated 100 prisoners at the Muaro Penitentiary here, outraged over what they perceived as unfairness in the granting of Independence Day remissions, set fire to the facility on Wednesday.
The incident took place only one day after prisoners at Gunung Sari Penitentiary and Detention Center in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, set fire to the complex and escaped.
In Padang, some 20 inmates from the second cell block escaped during the melee, which took place at about 10:30 a.m.
"Some prisoners tried to escape the fire, but others sabotaged the fire department's work by cutting off the water hose," West Sumatra Police chief Col. Dasrul Lamsuddin said.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control after three hours. There were no fatalities, but an inmate, Bustanul Arifin, was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed as he attempted to prevent his fellow prisoners from escaping.
The prison houses 263 inmates, including 15 women, Dasrul said, adding that 12 prison guards were being questioned over the fire.
"We suspect the incident occurred because the inmates were jealous over the granting of remissions by the government," he said.
The government reduced the jail terms of 17,361 prisoners across the country to mark Independence Day on Aug. 17.
Prison officials said a Molotov cocktail exploded during the melee, and angry prisoners also burned a car in the parking lot.
At least 600 police personnel were deployed to help control the fray and evacuate prisoners to West Sumatra Police Headquarters and Padang Police Headquarters. A manhunt has been launched for the 20 escaped convicts.
In Ujungpandang, police are still searching for 54 inmates who escaped during Tuesday's fire.
Prisoners set fire to a room late Tuesday after an inmate, identified as Usman, was shot by guard Lulu Kuncoro, according to South Sulawesi Police spokesman Maj. M. Chaerul.
"Fifteen of the inmates who escaped have been recaptured and there are only 54 still at large," Chaerul said, correcting earlier reports that an estimated 100 prisoners escaped.
"Out of the total 588 inmates housed in the complex, 19 were released on Tuesday following the government's remission program," he said.
Usman was among 19 inmates scheduled to be released, but he refused to be picked up by Gowa Police, who wanted to question him about another case, Chaerul said.
"Rather than coming with the police, Usman ran away toward the counseling room. Irritated by Usman's actions, Lulu, chief of the prison's counseling unit, gave chase and then shot Usman," Chaerul said.
Warden Sultani said the shooting was witnessed by a number of people who were at the prison to visit family members.
"News of the shooting infuriated other inmates and they started the fire, which quickly spread to seven of the jail's nine blocks," Sultani said.
Police are investigating Lulu and five inmates allegedly involved in the arson, and several guns from the counseling room have been confiscated, Chaerul said.
Meanwhile, five people reportedly suffering from gun shot wounds and minor injuries sustained during the incident are being treated at Bhayangkara Hospital in Ujungpandang. The five were identified as Usman, Songkala, Supardi, Kamarrudin Baso and Bustami. (27/28/edt)