Seven activists arrested since Laputta protest

Sep 05, 2007 (DVB)—Seven activists involved in a large protest in Laputta on Monday have been arrested, according to the Irrawaddy National League for Democracy.

U Win Myint, secretary of the NLD’s Irrawaddy branch, told DVB today that the protest leaders Ko Aung Moe Win, Ko Kyi Than and Ko Htay as well as activists Ko Pauksa, Ko Pho Cho, Ko Maung Kyaw and Ko Hla Soe were now in custody.

The four activists were reportedly arrested after trying to stop officials from arresting the protest leaders.

“They pulled away the hands of an official who was trying to pull away Ko Aung Moe Win from the protest scene. They told the official he had no right to treat a peaceful protestor in such a way. Now they have been arrested too,” U Win Myint said.

The seven men are believed to be detained separately at the Bayin Naung government guest house, the government’s religious affairs headquarters, a guest house owned by the forestry ministry, the municipal office and the town hall.

Reporting by Naw Noreen