NLD Statement 5 in English

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

National League for Democracy
(97/b) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon

Statement 5(1/99)

1. Contents of the letter dated 5 January 1999 from the Chairman of the 
National League for Democracy to the Chairman of the State Peace and 
Development Council under the heading  " Illegal and oppressive measures 
taken by township authorities against the NLD and the people " are 
reproduced  below for all to know:-


(Start)
" Illegal and oppressive measures taken by authorities are as follows:-
	
1. 	Mandalay Division, Kyaukpadaung township

(a) It is reported that in addition to the regularly collected water tax 
from 12 wards in the Kyaukpadaung township, a sum of Kyats three 
thousand is being demanded for every water hydrant. The people do not 
know why this is being done. Despite payments of the tax, there is no 
water supply.
(b) In Kyaulpadaung township, every household has had to pay Kyats one 
hundred for the Miss Beauty contest and Kyats one hundred for military 
training at the 78th Infantry Battalion. This military training is 
compulsory for four USDA members from every ward.
(c) Because of the drought, agricultural production has suffered.
(d) Owners of toddy palm gardens have to pay five kyats for every tree, 
notwithstanding immaturity, or lack of yield and payment must be made to 
the Agricultural Bank by the cultivators by the 21/22 January 1999.
(e) Members of the National League for Democracy are still being 
illegally arrested, persecuted, tortured, threatened, abused and 
pressured to resign from the party especially the elderly members. 
Signboards, seals and other properties belonging to the NLD have been 
illegally and forcefully removed and dispatched to offices of the 
authorities.

2. Mandalay Division, Meiktila township. Illegal measures taken against 
the NLD members.

(a) On 21 December 1998, the NLD Meiktila township organising committee 
objected in writing to the Chairman of the Township Election Commission 
about the illegal arrests of its members by the authorities in violation 
of the regulations and provisions of the Political Parties Registration 
Law. The said law does not stipulate that resignation is effective when 
sent by post under the pressure and threat of township authorities.
(b) Because of such legitimate objection, NLD township organisers U Ye 
Naung, U Than Maung, U Aung Moe, U Kyaw Htwe Oo, U Aung Htein 
(Joint-Secretary ) and  U Joseph were arrested and imprisoned on 
26-12-1998 by Ko Myint Toe and three others of Military Intelligence 
Unit 15.
(c) U Than Maung's family  was denied permission to take some warm 
clothing and provisions for him, demonstrating such lack of fellow 
feeling.

3.	Sagaing Division, Monwya township-

U Kyaw Shin, Deputy Chairman of NLD divisional organising committee was 
illegally arrested since 6 September 1998. At night (21:30 hours) on the 
15 December 1998, Captain Htay Win of the MIS fetched and took him to 
the hospital where his wife was in a state of semi-coma. She died on the 
morning (3:00) of the 16th. The attitude and behaviour of the 
authorities in this matter demonstrates complete lack of fellow feeling 
and sympathetic awareness of others.

4. The National League of Democracy not only denounce the above 
disclosed activities of the authorities but demands that all its members 
who have not offended any law but are now being held illegally be 
released forthwith and unconditionally."   (End)


2.	Further to the information given in paragraph 2(b) above, we announce 
that more arrests have been made on 28-12-1998 of Meiktila township 
organising committee members by the MIS unit 15. The individuals 
arrested are U Thein Aung (Vice Chairman), U Htun Shwe, U San Htoon, U 
Thoung Shein, U Maung Maung, U Sein Ywet and Daw Tin Tin Htwe.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

11 January 1999


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