Demand for Reopening of Offices unifies National League for Democracy members


In the aftermath of the massacre of members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and supporters near Tabayin on 30 May the generals arrested all NLD executives, sealed and closed down all NLD offices without a word of explanation.

After five months of being kept in a limbo, NLD members recently decided it was time to act. NLD township executives, women, and youths in Rangoon Division collectively launched a campaign to demand the reopening of township offices. It has since become a rallying cry for NLD members throughout the country.

The campaign to reopen the township offices began off on 22 October when Rangoon Division NLD members in all 40 townships filed their demands with township elections commissions.

Explaining the initial launch of the campaign, a Thingangyun Township NLD youth organizer Ko Mya Than Htaik said, "Yes, we have submitted the letters to the respective township election commissions in Rangoon Division, all 40 townships, demanding the reopening of NLD offices. We sent them simultaneously on 22 October and they involved all the NLD members including the young and the old. Previously we were unable to show our unity but now in every township the NLD township organizing committee, the women group, the youth group, and members used various methods to present the demands. This time around we were able to express our unity and show that the NLD is alive and active. It is not stagnant but united and strong. If they do not respond then we would continue to carry out the activities until we receive a response. We will continue to work with zeal and enthusiasm for the release of our leaders and the reopening of our offices. In the following days we believe the NLD members from other states and divisions will carry out NLD activities in unity by adopting the example of Rangoon Division. That is only the states and divisions, if we could do it nationwide then it would be much better."

The "Reopen the Offices" drive has now spread to other divisions.

Daw Than Than Aye, NLD woman group member from Mandalay Division said the NLD women's group together with the NLD youth "have also made preparations. We are waiting for a response from the authorities. If we have our office our work would be much effective and smoother. At present we are not completely satisfied with the way we have to work. But as long as there is no problem with the authorities we are fine. Although it is not easy, we have to use our own improvised method to make things work. We have no distinction in our membership; it includes all the age groups. Currently, they have not responded to our demands but we will carry on with our work and find ways to urge them to respond. We have many activities lined up. We always make ourselves vigorous with activities and we are not stagnant so we firmly believe that we are very much on our toes. That is our conviction."

Daw Khin Thet Htay of Yenangyaung Township in Magwe Division said, "Yes we had made a move to reopen the offices. We would try any avenue to get things done. But, personally I feel I can work with the people in Yenangyaung, with or without an office. The people have interest in us and they rely on us. That is why we on our part have tried our very best in political and other fields with zeal and enthusiasm. As for us we do not have any weapons, we only have our will and zeal. Well, the physical body would die if they kill us but our spirits will live on and now they have grown beyond imagination."

As of 26 October, NLD members in Magwe, Taungdwingyi, Sagu, Natmauk, Salin, Myothit, and Pwintbyu Townships have made their demands and "other townships in Magwe Division are preparing to follow suit." Daw Sandar Win, Magwe Township NLD Organizing Committee member, who personally went to deliver the letter to the authorities, said, "Well, we presented four points. The first is that NLD is political party legally existing in accordance with the Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission [Notification] No 4/88. The second is the day our office was closed by the authorities, that is 31 May. The third is to reopen the office which remained closed for almost five months now. The last point is to be able to perform our party duties systematically and peacefully... We will continue doing what we have to do. Whether the authorities respond or not is their concern. We demand now with high expectations and we will continue to do so in future. When they closed down the NLD offices, they not only sealed the offices that were officially functioning but also the buildings that were earmarked as future NLD offices. They also sealed the cabinets, drawers, documents, and furniture. That is why we demanded the reopening of the office and to break the seals."

The drive, NLD members say, will continue "until responsible authorities give them some form of response".

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

NewsDesk is published and distributed by

the National Council of the Union of Burma and

the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma