5 Prison Units Raided: Inside the July 17 Clash That Shook Melrose

Opposition Leader Joe Lesjongard raised urgent questions in Parliament this week regarding a violent search operation at Melrose Prison on July 17, igniting a heated debate on detainee treatment and prison security.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam pledged full transparency, confirming that surveillance footage would be reviewed as part of an ongoing investigation led by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Government Vows Zero Tolerance for Rights Violations

Prime Minister Ramgoolam opened his response by asserting his government’s unwavering stance against human rights abuses. “We will not tolerate any violation of human dignity, including within our prisons,” he declared, referencing past scandals while promising systemic reforms.

The PM outlined escalating challenges in Mauritius’ prisons, including drug trafficking, contraband smuggling via drones, and rising violence. Despite increased unannounced searches, he admitted these measures have not fully curbed the issues.

Melrose Prison Incident: Hostages, Force, and Contraband

The July 17 operation targeted five residential units at Melrose Prison. Tensions flared in the Ebony unit at 8:55 a.m., where inmates reportedly took hostages and resisted searches. Prison authorities called in reinforcements from the Special Mobile Force and Rapid Response Unit, recovering mobile phones, USB drives, and SIM cards.

Seven detainee families filed formal complaints over police conduct. Nine inmates received medical treatment for injuries, though one refused hospitalization for a neck wound.

Independent Probe and Camera Footage

Ramgoolam confirmed the NHRC’s National Preventive Mechanism Division (NPMD) was notified on July 18 after a detainee’s father lodged a complaint. The commission has secured all 550 prison surveillance cameras—a rebuttal to claims of non-functional equipment.

Preliminary searches at Beau-Bassin and Melrose this month yielded 47 cannabis packets, phones, and batteries. The PM acknowledged “conflicting reports,” including discrepancies in the prison commissioner’s statements, but emphasized the NHRC’s independence under Chair Satyajit Boolell.

Controversy Over Unannounced Visit

The debate took a dramatic turn when Touria Prayag, an NHRC member and former journalist, conducted an impromptu visit to Melrose post-incident. While Opposition MP Adrien Duval praised her initiative as a model for transparency, Ramgoolam cautioned against ad hoc visits without formal protocols.

Prayag defended her actions on Facebook: “When the Prime Minister, Speaker, and opposition all endorse accountability, it reaffirms our nation’s justice.”

Source: l’Express