Violent clashes in Sri Lankan prisons-11 dead scores wounded

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09 Nov 2012

Clashes,Prisons,Welikada

by admin

Violent clashes between prisoners and police commando units in one of the main prisons in Sri Lankan capital has left 11 inmates dead and scores wounded, police officials said on Friday.

Picture: Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka

They said the clashes erupted when jail guards aided by commando units were carrying out routine search at the prisons. Military officials said army units are being dispatched to Welikada prisons after reports that some prisoners have seized automatic weapons from the guards.
The hospital sources said at least 10 inmates with gunshot wounds have been admitted at the National hospital and some of them in serious conditions. The prison, a maximum security prison in the country is the home for an estimated 4,000 prisoners.
In January this year 25 prisoners were wounded during clashes between the jail guards and prisoners.
In the meantime, the BBC said that violence begun when police commando units entered the cells and begun handcuffing prisoners. It is learnt that policemen with the assistance of K-9 units were searching for illegal contraband and mobile phones.