Myanmar riot at detention camp, building torched

The star
SEREMBAN: Sixty Myanmar nationals were involved in a riot at the Lenggeng detention camp for illegals near here, apparently after they were told that their application to move to a third country was unsuccessful.

The rioters, believed to be political refugees, also torched an administrative building and threatened Immigration and Rela personnel with injury in the 10am incident on Monday.

State police chief Datuk Osman Abdullah said the rioters gained entry into the two-storey administrative building which was located in the middle of four blocks housing some 820 male illegals.

“They set fire at the ground floor causing damage to office furniture and computers. We were fortunate that the Fire and Rescue team arrived quickly to put out the flames,” he said when met at the centre.

Osman, who said losses had yet to be estimated, said the authorities were not able to determine who told the rioters that their applications had been rejected.

“The group had gathered outside their block first and tried to bring down a parameter fencing about 8am. The authorities tried talking to them but a short while later, they turned violent and then gained entry into the office and set it ablaze,” he said.

Osman said although there were 218 male Myanmar nationals at the centre, only 60 were involved in the rioting. He said illegals from several other countries living at the camp were not involved.

About 100 police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel and another 100 Rela members were called in to bring the situation under control. Also on duty were some 40 Immigration officers.

Personnel from the Civil Defence department and the health services were also on standby. However, Osman said there were no reports of injuries.

Asked if the rioters were unhappy with the treatement at the centre, Osman said preliminary investigations did not point to this.

“We are still investigating the cause, but at this point in time, all I can say is that they were unhappy because they heard that their application to a third country had been rejected,” he said.

The camp, which also housed 280 female illegals, was handed over by the Prisons Department to the Immigration Dept in January.

Osman said the Immigration and police personnel had begun investigations to establish the leaders involved in the melee.

“We will conduct a thorough probe and act against those involved in the arson as well. They will be charged under the relevant laws,” he said, adding that the rioters were not armed.

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