MANDALAY Central Prison granted amnesty to inmates yesterday in line with Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code to ensure that eligible voters do not lose their voting rights and can cast their ballots freely and fairly in the upcoming multiparty democratic general election. A total of 185 inmates from Mandalay Central Prison were released under the amnesty.
Mandalay Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Nay Lin Soe and Mandalay Region Prison Department Director U Cho Win Tun met the released inmates yesterday morning at Mandalay Central Prison and gave a word of advice.
Following this, the released inmates underwent health screenings and were provided with labour compensation, as well as food and travel allowances, before they were officially discharged from the prison.
Regarding yesterday’s amnesty, Mandalay Region Prison Department Director U Cho Win Tun said, “This amnesty is in line with the order, ensuring that eligible voters do not lose their voting rights so that the multiparty democratic general election can be held successfully. We have been living and interacting with these inmates as if they were family members and siblings. They have been behaving in a disciplined manner. We are happy about their release, and they are very pleased themselves. We have also provided food and travel allowances for them. I believe they will continue to contribute to the interests of the nation from their respective places.”
One of the released inmates said, “I am very happy to be granted amnesty. Our families did not know in advance that we would be released, but they came to welcome us as soon as they were informed. I am thankful to the responsible officials for allowing us to reunite with our families. I am also happy that my friends were released together with me.”
Across the Mandalay Region, a total of 265 inmates from five prisons were granted amnesty yesterday. — Maung Aye Chan/KZL
