The jailbreak at the Kawkareik Township Police Station occurred between 9pm and 10pm, with the inmates escaping through the roof, according to the police.

Once suspect has been re-arrested. The other six remain at-large.

U Min Ko Khine, the state parliamentarian representing Kawkareik township’s Constituency 2, blamed the authorities for failing to ensure the security of the jail house.

“This is due to the negligence,” he said. “These incidents have happened not just in our township but in other townships as well.”

In a separate incident, just days earlier, a group of armed assailants attacked police who were transferring a suspect on trial for drug charges. The men attacked police on May 29 along the Hpa-an-Kawkareik Road and abducted the woman.

“[The police] need to take more precautions instead of slacking off,” said Saw Soe Naing Win, from the Karen Development Network.

But another MP called for the public to cooperate with, rather than denigrate the police.

“Security should be increased now. [The security] depends on the strength of the police officers. It’s no wonder the public is feeling worried. But worrying won’t solve the issue. The responsibility doesn’t lie on only the police. Such issues may decrease if there is public cooperation,” said Daw Nan Than Than Lwin, a Pyithu Hluttaw MP from Hpa-an.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron