Georgetown: The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were on Sunday deployed to assist Police, Prison and Fire Officers contain prisoners in the aftermath of a fire that displaced over a two dozen inmates at the Lusignan Prison facility on the East Coast of Demerara.
The Guyana Police Force said the fire stemmed from the discovery of narcotics at about about 12:45pm at the Lusignan Prison and the subsequent activation of a search by an investigative team.
“Some prisoners from the same facility began rioting,” police said.
The police force said Joint Services ranks were able to contain the riot and escort most prisoners from the Lusignan Prison to nearby facilities.
“The situation is contained at this time and logistics and other systems are being implemented,” police added.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said no one was killed but eight inmates sustained minor injuries including burns and abrasions as well as smoke inhalation.
Guyana Police Force spokesman, Senior Superintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan said over two dozen prisoners’ sustained injuries.
The GDF deployed its helicopter with members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit aboard. They frequently conducted aerial reconnaissance over the now abandoned, thickly vegetated sugarcane fields and other areas.
You must be logged in to post a comment.