Protests continue in Rangoon

Residents of Rangoon angry over a sharp rise in fuel and commodity prices took to the streets of the former capital on Wednesday in non-violent demonstrations of discontent that saw more than 150 people detained by authorities, according to activists and participants in the protests.

Burmese activists shout slogans during a protest in the capital, Rangoon. [Photo: AFP]

In Sanchaung Township, 88 Generation Students Group member Ma Thet said the protest there at first attracted only about 100 people but grew larger as passersby joined the marchers.

Yazar, a youth member of Burma’s main opposition party, National League for Democracy, also took part in the Sanchaung Township protest and said that as many as 1,000 people joined the ranks of marchers—some of whom said they were assaulted by authorities and government-backed civilian groups.

The demonstrators in Sanchaung were led by prominent female activists Naw Ohn Hla from the NLD, Nilar Thein and Mi Mi from the 88 Generation Students Group, and NLD youth member Phyu Phyu Thin, who is also a well known HIV/AIDS activist.

Ma Thet said several young street vendors and students as young as 14 and 15 also joined the protest.

Naw Ohn Hla and six other women in the group were arrested by authorities at the end of the march, according to Ma Thet, who added that two of the protest leaders’ mobile phones were confiscated by authorities the day before the protest.

“We hold these demonstrations on behalf of the people only to highlight the problems they are facing,” said Htay Kywe, a prominent 88 Generation Students Group leader involved in the demonstrations.

During the marches, local police, immigration officials and intelligence officers monitored the events, taking video and still photographs of participants while onlookers cheered the demonstrators, said Htay Kywe.

“To support the needs of our people, we are prepared to give and lose everything,” Htay Kywe added.

The demonstrations came on the heels of a steep rise in gasoline, diesel and compressed natural gas prices across Rangoon on August 15—in some cases, prices soared three to five times their normal levels.

A protest that began at Hledan Market in Kamayut Township saw close to 200 marchers make their way to the Oakyin bus stop in Hlaing Township, where authorities arrested more than 150 participants and took them away in trucks. Witnesses said that four demonstrators were attacked by authorities with sticks.

A handful of other demonstrators were arrested during a protest in Anawrahta Road in Kyauktada Township. The event was supposed to have been led by activist Htin Kyaw and scheduled to take place in front of Rangoon City Hall on Wednesday, but the activist never arrived at the protest.

Another demonstration, led by Amyotheryei Win Naing, head of the opposition National Politicians Group, was also scheduled in downtown Rangoon on Wednesday.

Prior the demonstrations, Burmese authorities arrested 13 prominent pro-democracy activists, including 88 Generation Students Group leader Min Ko Naing and others such as Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Win Aung, Min Zeya, Mya Aye and Kyaw Min Yu. Their current whereabouts are unknown.

The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) on Wednesday condemned the military government for arresting demonstrators and student leaders.

According to a report on Wednesday in Burma’s state-run daily newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, authorities arrested the student leaders under the 1996 Act 5/56 and could face up to 20 years in prison.

While several Burmese pro-democracy activists in exile have said they will hold protests in front of Burmese embassies, sources in Rangoon said today’s demonstrations will continue in coming days.