Rohingya unity meet successfully concluded

Kaladan Press

Chittagong, Bangladesh: A Rohingya unity meeting was successfully concluded on January 7, 2008, on the Bangladesh- Burma border.

At the meeting, a total of 14 Rohingya leaders participated from major political parties and other organizations and discussed the deteriorating situation of Rohingya people in Arakan and the current political situation in Burma, said a participant.

The meeting was chaired by a professor, a Rohingya researcher.

The meeting unanimously adopted the following resolutions. These are:

1) to form a single organization to represent and serve the cause and case of the Rohingya people,

2) a five-member" Working Committee" has been formed to work on necessary unification process for emergence of one single political organization by March 31, 2008, according to a political party leader.

Besides, a five-member "Advisory Body" has also been formed to give necessary advice from time to time to the "Working Committee"

"We are very optimistic to form a single organization to represent the whole Rohingya community to serve the Rohingya people," one of the participants said

The meeting was concluded at around 5 pm while it started at noon.

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Natala villagers loot rice from Nasaka

Kaladan Press

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Natala (model) villagers looted rice from Burma’s Border Security Force (Nasaka) on January 7, according to sources.

On January 7, at around 10 am, about 100 Natala villagers from Taungbro Sub-township in Maungdaw Township went to Nasaka area No. 3 headquarters and demanded that rice be provided as the price of rice has been skyrocketing in Maungdaw Township.

Major "Thu Rin Zaw", the Commander of the Nasaka area No. 3 told them that Nasaka will provide sufficient rice to the Natala villagers after January 15.

But, the Natala villagers were dissatisfied with this commitment. About 40 Natala villagers of the 100 went to the storehouse of Nasaka Area No. 3 and looted rice from the godown. The Nasaka drove them out of the place. After that all the Natala villagers who were participated in the looting were provided 5 kgs of rice and forced to go back to their village, a villager close to Natala villagers said.

The Natala villagers were recently settled in Taungbro Sub-town under Maungdaw Township after being inviting over from Burma proper.

A kg of rice is being sold at kyat 550 in Maungdaw townships. So, poor families are unable to meet their daily expenditure.

The authorities have been purchasing paddy from farmers across Arakan State at low prices from the open market to export to the neighboring country as well as storing ration for the armed forces for 2008. This is the main cause of soaring rice prices in Arakan, said on of the farmers on condition of anonymity.

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NLD Youth Member's Trial - Ko Mya Than Htike

Original Source: Aye Aye Mon - Democratic Voice of Burma
Translated: Nay Chi U - Who is Who in Burma

Thingun Gyun's National League for Democracy Party youth member Ko Mya Than Htike, who was arrested in connection with September protests, appeared before court yesterday, it was reported.

The youngster, who has been detained in Insein prison was originally charged under section 5 (J). However, yesterday, his charges were changed to section 505 B : offences against the state or public's tranquility and section 147:for gathering more than 5 people.

Ko Mya Than Htike was shot while protesting near Sule' Pagoda on 27 September, last year and was treated for a week in Rangoons' General Hospital but sent to Insein prison, before his wound was healed.

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Rakhine NLD Secretary's Appeal Rejected - U Khin Hla

Original Source: Naw Say Paw - Democratic Voice of Burma
Translated: Nay Chi U - Who is Who in Burma

U Khin Hla, Secretary of National League for Democracy Party, Rakhine , who is serving 4 years in Than Dwe prison has had his appeal rejected by Than Dwe' District magistrate's court today, it is reported.

U Khin Hla was arrested on 28 November, put on trial, prosecuted and sentenced to 4 years and 3 months imprisonment on the same day. It was understood that the opportunity seeking local authorities took advantage of the family argument to seize him, although the family is now reconciled.

About 7000 locals had already added their signatures to a petition calling for the release of U Khin Hla and deputy secretary Ko Min Aung.

Three monks from Sittwe have been in prison and three others have been detained for interrogation. Ko Ye' Min Oo, a university student from Gwa and three other men have been also detained.

NLD member U Ye' Thein from Boo Thee Daung was arrested and sent to a psychiatric hospital.

U Than Hlaing, joint secretary of NLD Party, Rakhine said," At this crucial time, when all the selfishness and pride should be set aside and we should all be concentrating on holding the meaningful discussions, for the current and long-term benefit of the country's development and future. It is vital and most important that all the political prisoners are released immediately, otherwise, talking about meaningful discussions will be just like writing things on the surface of water. It will be just a joke and no one is going to believe it . And if the discussions are not happening , I am afraid, the unnecessary killings and sufferings will be going around like in a circle."

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Military Junta On Arresting Spree - U Thet Wai

Original Source: Htet Aung Kyaw - Democratic Voice of Burma
Translated: Goldie Shwe - Who is Who in Burma

The latest victim of the military junta's arresting spree was U Thet Wai, Chairman, National League for Democracy Party, San Chaung and it is not known where he has been kept, according to the NLD Communication Team.

The veteran political prisoner U Thet Wai, in his 50s, was supporting the soloist U Ohn Than at his trial at Kyauk Ta Daa magistrate's court, when he was arrested yesterday, after he was seen arguing with a police official at about 1:00 pm, the eye witness reported.

"Deputy sergeant arrived and Hla Tun (the other official) and him grabbed U Thet Wai's arms from each side and dragged him into one of the offices. After about half an hour questioning, the police car arrived and took him to Kyauk Ta Daa police station, where they kept him until 10 January."

When the family members of U Thet Wai went to ask at the police station, they were not given any information, according to U Nyan Win from NLD communication team.

U Thet Wai was the 6th NLD member to be arrested since New Year and with other activists included, 11 people have been arrested within the first 9 days of 2008.

NLD members Ko Kyaw Kyaw, Ko Kyaw Zin Win and two others from Daw' Pone and Miss Htet Htet Aung from South Dagon were all arrested within the first week.

Five other people, who have been arrested are known as Ko Ko Maung and Ko Min Han from Mingaladon, a monk and two students.

Despite pledging to make 2008 as a year of reconciliation, authorities evidently carry on with their arresting spree.

"Altogether 102 members have been arrested, facing the trials while being detained or imprisoned. The reason for the arrests were not known. The figures are very disappointing. This is the time we should all concentrate on the process of dialogues for the National Reconciliation and the situation is bad if the authorities continue to arrest and not releasing the politicians, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," said U Nyan Win.

Please note: Ko Tun Tun Naing, NLD member from Insein was also arrested and detained in Insein prison since 3 January'08.

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