NLD leaders take roadshow to grass roots members in Arakan State

Monday, 02 August 2010 23:27 Khaing Suu

New Delhi (Mizzima) - National League for Democracy members embarked on a week-long roadshow to Arakan State today to meet grass-roots members in the first such tour since the party refused to re-register with the Burmese ruling junta’s electoral watchdog in March, over what it termed “unfair and unjust” election laws, a central executive committee member said.

NLD delegation led by party central executive committee member Ohn Kyaing arrived by bus in Gwa Township this morning. It comprised Bahan Township NLD chairman Aung Myint, aka Phyarpone Ni Lone Oo; NLD Youth (Central) member Ba Maung, Rangoon Division NLD Youth leader Aye Min Soe and the party’s Arakan State campaign committee member, Tin Thein Aung.

“We come to Arakan State to explain party policy and pass on Aung San Suu Kyi’s messages to the grass roots of the party”, Ohn Kyaing told Mizzima.

The leaders and about 40 grass-roots members then met at the home of NLD Gwa Township Campaign Committee chairman Sein Kyaw.

National reconciliation, reclamation of human rights, peaceful reconstruction of a democratic nation and resumption of party activities under the direction of pro-democracy leader, Suu Kyi, were among the objectives conveyed.

In response, grass-roots members showed strong support for the messages of the party’s general secretary, Suu Kyi, vice-chairman Tin Oo and central executive committee member Win Tin, Ohn Kyaing said.

“Suu Kyi’s mission was not to re-register the party but to seek justice and democratic rights from the junta,” Ohn Kyaing said. “She urged the grass roots to stand in support of her mission while Tin Oo carried the … message that all party members need to participate actively in social work. Win Tin’s message … was that everything grass-roots members do must be for the Burmese citizen.”

Suu Kyi sent the message via her lawyer and party central executive committee member Nyan Win, after a junta-approved meeting at her home.

The roadshow will last about a week and will take in Thandwe, Taunggoat and Sittwe. It will leave for Thandwe tomorrow. No problems had been encountered other than bad roads along the route because of heavy monsoonal rain, Ohn Kyaing said.

The trip recalled the unfinished nationwide tour by Suu Kyi and Tin Oo that had passed through Arakan on the way to Sagaing Division, where in Depayin about 5,000 pro-junta thugs from the Union Solidarity and Development Association attacked the NLD convoy in Depayin massacre and brutally killed at least 70 of the group. The leaders managed to escape in their car but were arrested by junta officers as they attempted to enter a nearby town.

Similarly, the party leaders went to Mandalay, Karen State and Pegu (Bago) to meet grass-roots members of the party.