Kyaukpadaung protestors call for release of detainees

A group of about 25 people marched through the Mandalay town of Kyaukpadaung this morning, protesting fuel price hikes and calling for the release of political prisoners in Burma.

One protestor told DVB that the group was demanding that the military government release detained National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and prominent activists such as Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi.

“Ward Peace and Development Council officials on motorbikes showed up immediately at the scene shortly after we started the protest and followed us,” the protestor said on condition of anonymity.

Eyewitnesses said about 70 government supporters, Union Solidarity and Development Association members and officials from the Kyaukpadaung Peace and Development Council tried to stop the demonstration only to be jeered at by bystanders.

“The authorities order bystanders to arrest us but no one listened to them and instead started laughing at the officials,” the protestor said.

A crowd of about 50 people reportedly followed the demonstrators to cheer them on.