NLD members arrested in Magwe Division

DVB ( July 09,2003 )

It is reported that 3 NLD members from Yenangyaung and one NLD youth from Natmauk were arrested on the 6th and 8th of July by the military intelligence [MI].

They are the chairman of Yenaungyaung, U Khin Win, the secretary U Maung Maung, the chief organiser Ko Than Aung and Ko Aung Thein Myint, a youth member of Natmauk Township NLD Youth.

They are accused of rallying MPs to put their signatures in a letter written by Magwe Division NLD to be sent the SPDC leader General Than Shwe in concerning with the Dipeyin [Tabayin] incident.

On the 6th of July, the chief organiser Ko Than Aung and Ko Aung Thein Myint were arrested and charged with the hated Act 5J.

On the 8th of July, the chairman U Khin Win and the secretary U Maung Maung were arrested.

The DVB asked U Han Zaw, the chairman of Magwe Division NLD and he explained the content of the letter as follows:

U Han Zaw : In the letter, we urged the authority to release all the people who were arrested during the Dipeyin incident including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Grandpa U Tin Oo and to re-open all the NLD offices and to enquire into what had happened and publish the findings of what really happened. They planned to write the letter and send it to General Than Shwe. Ko Than Aung a youth from Yenangyaung was arrested between Natmauk and Myothit on his way from Natmauk. They seem to be interrogating him and the chairman and secretary of Yenangyaung.

U Han Zaw also pointed out that their activities are those of a winning party within the rule of law and they had done nothing illegal:

U Han Zaw : Our party is not outlawed yet and we think that should do our duties with our colleagues and other elected representatives in orderly way and with discipline. From our points of view, these people are completely innocent. We believe that it is our duty to keep on our activities.