YANGON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Four inmates were killed and eight others injured in a riot at a prison in Kachin state of northern Myanmar on Thursday, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said in a statement on Friday.

The riot at Myitkyina prison in Myitkyina township of Kachin state that erupted at around 4:10 p.m. local time (0940 GMT) on Thursday was triggered by protests from some male inmates against the recent prisoner release granted on an amnesty on Myanmar's traditional New Year's Day on April 17, the statement said.

Despite efforts by prison staff to restore order, tensions escalated in the prison. The inmates destroyed bedroom doors and CCTV cameras, it said.

Subsequently, security personnel and police were dispatched to the prison at around 4:30 p.m., and the prison staff workers again tried to calm the rioting prisoners and disperse the crowds. However, the inmates persisted in damaging facilities and attempting to attack the prison employees, it said.

In response, security personnel opened fire in order to bring the situation under control, resulting in four deaths and eight injuries. The situation was under control at around 5 p.m.

The injured inmates have been hospitalized for treatment, the statement said. Enditem

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