80 Armed Policemen Disperse Five NLD Members

by Htein Lin
Thursday, 24 January 2008 00:00

New Delhi : About 80 armed Burmese policemen stopped five NLD members in of the Rakhine State, Taungkok NLD from going to their township NLD Vice-Chairman's home this morning.

Ko Than Lwin, Ko Moe Nay Soe and three other NLD members on Wednesday morning left a teashop in Chaungauk ward and were heading for the residence of township NLD Vice-Chairman. Suddenly about 80 armed policemen armed with batons, guns and shields blocked their way on U Uttama Street and ordered them to disperse.

"Five of us [on Wednesday morning] sipped tea at the teashop and were going to U Than Pe's residence. Then about 80 policemen led by Sub-Inspector Win Aung Ni ordered us to disperse," Ko Moe Nay Soe told Mizzima.

He added that security forces are deployed at all crowded places downtown and they are on standby to disperse crowds trying to stage demonstrations.

Fresh demonstrations are likely as residents are facing daily economic hardships and tight security measures. There is growing resentment among them against the regime.

"The voice of peaceful expression of their desire will roar again and again as long as they (the regime) fail to resolve the problems. They have been intimidating the people in all sorts of ways and by any kind of weapon," Ko Moe Nay Soe added.

Thirteen NLD members were arrested in connection with the 'Saffron Revolution' and they are still behind bars. Ward level PDC member Ko Win Maung was arrested last November and has been sentenced to two and-a-half years in prison. But he is still in the Manaung police lockup.

"Ko Win Maung can have a bath only twice a week. He is suffering from backache again. I've no idea why they haven't yet sent him to Kyaukphyu prison. He's got backache and he needs to exercise and have a bath. His health situation will deteriorate in Manaung police lockup," his wife told Mizzima.

He gave an anti-government speech to the people when he was assigned to monitor the people's movement. He was charged under section 143, 505(b) of the Penal Code and then sentenced to two and-a-half years in prison.

Ko Kalashae a.k.a. Than Htay and Ko Zaw Naing were arrested on Tuesday for staging a protest demonstration after they chanted slogans riding bicycles. Till now they are in the township police lockup.