USDA members bash, arrest 30 activists

Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association violently bashed and arrested more than 30 activists today in separate incidents around Rangoon.

Eyewitnesses told DVB that more than 20 activists gathered to protest high fuel prices in front of Rangoon’s City Hall at about 1:30pm where they were confronted by the USDA members, special police and government-backed militia.

“They protested by politely speaking out about the fact that they could not handle anymore of the high transportation and commodity prices,” one eyewitness said.

“The USDA arrived and violently dragged them inside city hall. The protestors begged the government supporters not to arrest them . . . It was a terrible scene watching the government supporters beating up old women who were protesting.”

USDA members also arrested National League for Democracy members Ko Min Min Oo, Ko Thein Htay, Ko Tin Maung Kyi as they walked down a busy street in New South Dagon township today, detaining Ko Tin Maung Kyi’s wife and one year old daughter along with the men.

U Saw Lwin, U Thein Myint Htun, Ko Nyunt Win and Ko Aung Zaw, also from New South Dagon township were arrested in a separate incident early this afternoon.

High-profile activist and one of the organisers of the recent spate of protests, Ko Htin Kyaw, told DVB yesterday that the demonstrators appeared to be gaining ground in Rangoon despite the high numbers of arrests.

“I think we are on our way to success . . . Our movement has drawn significant attention from the public who have started to express their feelings by joining our protests,” said Ko Htin Kyaw, who refused to reveal his whereabouts for fear of arrest.

“We strongly denounce the State Peace and Development Council’s tactics of aggressively cracking down on people who are protesting peacefully,” Ko Htin Kyaw said.