Five killed as prison riot crushed

POLICE and guards used tear gas, water cannon and a bulldozer to crush a revolt by 2,700 prisoners in Bangladesh yesterday.

At least five prisoners were killed, police said. Up to 50 others and 11 officers were injured when the security forces crashed through the prison gates and a barricade.

The week long rioting in Jessore set off unrest in three other prisons, including the high security Dhaka central jail.

"The jail mutiny has ended with the fall of the Jessore jail," a police officer said.

The rioting followed the release of 90 prisoners under an amnesty marking the country's 25th independence anniversary. Prisoners angered at being excluded from the amnesty demanded freedom, while others sought better treatment and food.