ABYMU Statement (r)

[goldburm@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>From: brccm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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>Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 14:41:14
>To: goldburm@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: ABYMU statement
>
>December 11, 1998
>
>Subject: Urgent alert on the situation of Buddhist monk activists inside
Burma
>
>The ABYMU is seriously concerned at the fate of seven monks who were
>involved in the November 23, 1998, demonstration inside Burma. The SPDC
>military regime is currently hunting down the following seven monks:
> 
>1. Ashin Wilartha		Mya Taung Monastery	Mandalay
>2. Ashin Za Nin Da		Khin Makan Monastery	Mandalay
>3. Ashin May Gi Da		Gwe Cho Monastery		Mandalay
>4. Ashin Wi Lar That		A Kaut Khun Monastery	Mandalay
>5. Ashin Te Za 		Moe Kaung Monastery	Mandalay
>6. Ashin Zaw Tiparla		Moe Kaung Monastery	Mandalay
>7. Ashin Sein Di Mar		Moe Kaung Monastery	Mandalay
>
>Military intelligence agents are demanding that the abbots of the
>monasteries concerned hand over the monks for their participation in the
>recent demonstrations. However, we the ABYMU have not received any
>information up till now that the monks have been captured. 
>
>The November 23 demonstration started at 9.00 a.m. 300-400 monks
>participated in the event, demanding the following:
>1. Removal of the military dictatorship
>2. Release of monks who have been imprisoned
>3. A legal enquiry into the case of the Maha Mrat Muni Buddhi image.
>4. Recognition at the State level of Buddhist religious literature
>examinations.
>
>While the monks were chanting their demands peacefully, a conflict broke
>out between demonstrators and politcemen from Aung May Tha Zan police
>station. During the conflict, policemen opened fire, so some bystanders
>also joined in on the side with the monks. The demonstrators then started
>throwing stones at the policemen and their police station, which was
>slightly damaged. The local SPDC office located at Pyi Kyaw Market was also
>destroyed by an angry mob. The demonstrators dispersed at 10 pm.
>
>Following the demonstration, the regime's troops took up position around
>the Maha Wi Thu Dar Ron, Moe Kaung and Htee Lin Monasteries in Mandalay,
>and have been closely watching the monks there. The authorities are clearly
>extremely worried at the monks' movement, which was also staged in 9 other
>parts of Burma during the month of  November 1998. 
>
>The SPDC has been holding its own religious ceremonies in Myin Gyan, Myan
>Aung and Pegu. Monks inside Burma state this is a clear attempt to divert
>attention from the anti-government movement of the Buddhist monks, a tactic
>the regime has often used in the past. 
>
>The All Burma Young Monks' Union
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