The Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) has issued an instruction to its battalions and respective areas to assist the authorities in capturing the inmates who escaped from Hpa-an Prison.
The KNU/KNLA-PC joint secretary Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt told KIC News that some inmates are still on the run after escaping from the prison on September 16 and his organization has informed respective strategies, battalions, and departments on September 22 to arrest the inmates if they enter their areas.
“Since the inmates escaped, we've already planned to act in accordance with the law if we find them. We can’t hide them even if they belong to our race. We already have the intention to cooperate in eliminating unlawful acts that harm peace and regional stability while peace is being implemented” Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt said.
After the authorities informed the KNU/KNLA-PC about the possibility of the escaped inmates entering their areas, it has instructed its battalions and departments to systematically inspect suspicious strangers and follow procedure to take action against the escaped inmates if they are found.
Forty-two inmates escaped from Taung Kalay Prison in Hpa-an Township in the morning of September 16 and 14 inmates have been recaptured up to today while 18 inmates are still on the run.
Respective ethnic armed organizations have been informed to cooperate in recapturing the escaped inmates and security organizations including respective police force are still pursuing them.
