Junta arrests more opposition youth members

Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – The Burmese military junta continues to crack down on the Opposition arresting about 30 youth activists on Tuesday evening.

Youth members of the National League for Democracy, Burma's main opposition party were arrested by the Special Branch of the police from their residence, Naing Ngan Linn information in-charge of the NLD youth wing said.

"So far we could only get the name of Kyi Lwin from South Dagon from among those arrested last night," Naing Ngan Linn said.

While still unable to get the names of the arrested NLD members, he said they were rounded up in the evening after 18 out of the 24 NLD youth members were arrested earlier for marching towards Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house demanding her release.

A police source in Rangoon, however, told Mizzima that Kyi Lwin, the only person so far identified, was rounded up by the Special Branch of the police, local police and ward level officials.

"According to information I have, the authorities are searching for activists with their photographs. I think they must have taken photographs of those who held protests yesterday in front of the NLD office," Naing Ngan Linn said.

However, NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said he had not heard of the fresh arrests.

"I have not heard of any other arrests, all I know is that yesterday afternoon 18 activists were arrested. They have not yet been released. There is a twelve year old boy among them. And we don't know where they have been kept," Nyan Win said.

Among those arrested on Tuesday afternoon are– Saw Pyih Phyo Aung, Phyo Ko Naing, Thet Min Soe, Tun Win Thein, Hla Myo Naing, Aung Pe, Tun Tun Win, Pyih Pyih, Kyaw Myo Naing, Yan Naing Tun, Maung San, Moe Kyaw Zin, Linn Aung Tun, Win Min Aung, Htet Htet Wai Oo and her twelve-year old son Ye Yint Min Htet Oo.

About 24 NLD youth on Tuesday held a brief protest in front of the party head office in west Shwegondine in Bahan Township, and marched towards party leader Aung San Suu Kyi's residence on University Avenue shouting slogans like "Free.. Free.. Aung San Suu Kyi", "We need… immediate aid".

But their protest march was short-lived because the police who were waiting for them on Kaba Aye Pagoda Street in three 'Dyna' light trucks rounded them up. While several activists escaped, 18 were arrested.