Saturday June 20, 2009
BUTTERWORTH: At least 50 inmates of a Pusat Serenti drug rehabilitation centre in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor, are believed to have escaped after they torched three buildings, including the administrative block following a riot.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said at least 100 of the centre’s 522 inmates were believed to have been involved in the incident which took place at about 6pm yesterday.
“No one was injured in the incident but a few vehicles including trucks, cars and motorycle belonging to the centre, staff and visitors were also torched.
“We are doing a headcount to ensure that all of the inmates are accounted for.
“The roads leading to the centre have also been cordoned off to control the traffic flow into the area,” he said when met at the scene last night.
DCP Ayub said the rioting could have started due to a misunderstanding between the inmates and the wardens. It is learnt that the police have launched a hunt for the escaped inmates.
FRU personnel were earlier seen entering the centre in two water cannon trucks. Personnel from the police and the General Operations Force were also called in.
Firemen, who rushed to the scene on receiving a distress call at 6.10pm, also brought the flames under control by 10pm. Five ambulances were also put on stand-by outside the centre.
A resident, Ali Osman, 59, a former army personnel staying nearby, said he saw one of the inmates carrying container of fuel while another had a lighter in his hand.
“I saw them torching the sentry post. They were in the centre’s uniforms and had each used a towel to cover their faces,” he said.
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