BANDAR BAHARU: The riot that took place at the Sri Impian Immigration depot in Relau here was not something that erupted overnight.

       Instead, there had been unrest days before the riot took place, with many detainees going on a hunger strike, villagers claim.

       Kampung Sungai Rambai villager Zainab Awang, 62, said she heard some detainees had refused to eat the food at the centre.

       She, however, has no idea why the detainees had behaved that way.

       “During their escape on Wednesday morning, I heard some of them say that they were willing to walk and die rather than live at the detention centre,” she said.

       Another villager from Kampung Paya Semambu, Zaitun Embi, 43, feared her house could become an easy target for detainees looking for food.

       “My house is in the plantation and quite far from other villages.

       “If the detainees come and ask for food, I’ll give them food. Still, I will report to the authorities about their presence.”

       She said she had seen footprints behind her house.

       “At night, we heard dogs barking incessantly. Some of them were probably at the plantation to find shelter,” she said.

       She hopes the authorities can locate the escapees soon for the safety of the villagers.

       Another villager claimed she lost three pairs of footwear after the escapees passed by her house on Wednesday morning.

       Norliza Ahmad, 49, said she was preparing sahur meals when she heard loud noises outside her house.

       “I saw hundreds of men, women and children running along the road.

       “By then, the shoes were missing. I believe the detainees stole them as they had escaped barefooted.”

       Plantation worker Rosdi Abu Seman, 48, said he also saw two sets of footprints at the plantation yesterday morning, adding that the prints could belong to stragglers who had broken from the main group and were now looking for food.

       He said the detainees might seek refuge at the hills around the villages and at several durian farms.

       Meanwhile, Kampung Paya Semambu Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) member, leader Harun Ahmad said the villagers should report to authorities if they come across any suspicious figures.

       “Please let the authorities know, and be extra careful,” he said.

       Kedah Rohingya Society in Malaysia (RSM) chairman Yusof Ali, meanwhile, said the Malaysian government and United Nations must deliberate on the matter to ensure such an incident does not recur in any other detention centre.

       “The authorities must find the best way to solve this problem. They must not keep undocumented migrants too long before sending them to third countries,” he said.