A total of 224 prisoners were released from In-tai-lay in Kalay, Sagaing Region, on Wednesday as part of a presidential amnesty to mark the traditional Burmese New Year.

All but 28 of the prisoners had been charged with drug-related offenses.

Of the total, 179 were male prisoners and 45 were female. One of the men released was identified as a foreigner, and one woman was said to be in poor health. Four of the released male prisoners were between 75 and 80 years of age.

Besides the 196 prisoners who had been charged under the Narcotics Act, there were 18 who had been found guilty of violating the Army Act and four who had committed crimes related to the Police Act.

Various government departments are working together with civil society organizations, local elders and bus lines to facilitate the return of the released prisoners to their respective homes.

Most of the prisoners are expected to return to other towns in Sagaing Region, including Shwebo, Kathar and Monywa. Kathar alone will receive 117, or more than half of the total number of pardoned prisoners.

Twelve-wheel trucks, provided with the assistance of township elders, will be used to transport the prisoners to their chosen destinations.

President Win Myint issued pardons to a total of 9,500 prisoners nationwide on April 17 as part of an amnesty marking the annual Thingyan water festival.