Detainees tortured – NCUB
DVB (2003 June 14)

The National Coalition of the Union of Burma (NCUB) has issued an emergency statement saying that 17 youth members including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s bodyguard Ko Tun Zaw Zaw who were arrested and detained during the assaults on 30th of May are being tortured at Khamtee Prison, in Kachin State by the SPDC’s military intelligence (MI).

The military government insists that the incident at Dipeyin was the result of the ‘clashes’ between the supporters of the NLD and those who don’t like them and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is misusing democracy and the NLD supporters started the ‘clashes’. The torturers are using these arguments and forcing the detainees to sign their signatures to concur with their statements. Some of those who are being tortured are those who were seriously wounded at the Dipeyin incident.

According to another report by the NCUB, the SPDC has sent directives to the police and the army to be on alert and ready to put down potential nation-wide uprising. The security forces are told to shoot people if prevention and control are not enough. The chairman of Twante Township local authority, Rangoon Division is recruiting 100 day labourers from several wards and giving them anti-riot trainings. Similar trainings are being given in townships throughout the country, according to the NCUB emergency statement issued today.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 14 June 03