Chin women's group condemn junta's crackdown on protesters

August 29, 2007 - The Women's League of Chinland (WLC) today condemned the Burmese military junta for attacking and arresting women and other activists involved in the on going protests over the steep hike in petroleum prices in Burma.

Photo: Junta's thugs USDA and Swan-Aa-Shin members dragged a protestor in Rangoon, Burma.

The WLC called for the immediate release of arrested women and student leaders including Min Ko Naing and other activists.

"The increase in prices of essential commodities consequent to the fuel price hike have directly impacted Burmese women in kitchens in Burma," Cheery Zahau, coordinator of the Women's League of Chinland said.

"We realize how hard life in Burma is by seeing the women come out on the streets and protest over the rise in prices of essential commodities," Cheery Zahau added.

WLC urged the United Nations and the international community to intervene, take necessary action and pressurise the Burmese junta to stop its crackdown on its own people demanding their basic rights.

WLC in its statement on particular appealed to the Indian government to review its relations with the Burmese military government and also said that India's bonding with Burma's dictators is a shame.

The junta with the help of members of its back up organizations such as the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan-Aa-Shin have arrested protesters including prominent student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Kyi.

So far the junta has arrested over 70 activists involved in peace rallies over the fuel price hike in Burma. But, the demonstrations are now spreading to other cities of Burma. – Khonumthung.

Diesel and petrol price rise in northwest of Burma

25 August 2007 - Petroleum prices skyrocketed in northwestern Burma soon after the Burmese military junta increased the price of diesel and petrol price by 100 percent in Burma on August 15.

The price of diesel touched Kyat 8000 from Kyat 4000 per a gallon while that of petrol rose from Kyat 5000 to Kyat 7000 a gallon in Falam town, Chin state.

In Kalay town, Sagaing division, the price of diesel mounted to Kyat 2500 from Kyat 4800 a gallon and petrol touched Kyat 1500 from Kyat 1200 per gallon.

"With the increase in fuel prices in Rangoon, bus fares in Kalay and Chin state have also risen. Most people are avoiding use of their cars to go out except in an emergency because of the high price of fuel," said a local in Kalay.

Bus fares on the Kalay–Falam route have risen from Kyat 3500 to Kyat 7000 while on the Kalay – Hakha route it is Kyat 10,000 up from Kyat 5,000. Taxis operating from Kalay to Tahan are charging Kyat 400 (previous fare Kyat 300) and line bus fares have gone up to up to Kyat 120 from Kyat 60.

Hundreds of protestors held street rallies over the massive increase of fuel price in Rangoon on August 23. Around 100 protesters were arrested including prominent activist Min Ko Naing by junta backed thugs of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan-Aa-Shin. Some were released later.

On August 20, around 400 protesters led by 88 generation student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Kyi and Ko Htay Kywe held peaceful demonstrations in Rangoon.

Till date, around 40 protestors have been detained by the junta.

Despite all this people in Kalay and other towns in Chin state have not staged marches on the streets as yet to protest over the massive price of fuel and gas, the people are unhappy with the junta. – Khonumthung.