BURMESE JUNTA ORGANISES RIOT POLICE

[lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Media Release
Date: July 17, 1998

           BURMESE JUNTA ORGANISES RIOT POLICE IN PREPARATION 
                           FOR DEMONSTRATIONS

The Burmese military junta has begun to form special riot police
units in large towns and cities throughout the country in
preparation for demonstrations expected to coincide with the 10th
anniversary of the 1988 uprising, according to sources in
Rangoon.

Beginning from early July, special police units, each comprising
30 policemen and led by a police captain, have been formed to
quell any demonstrations. At the same time, a number of district
police officers have been summoned to police headquarters in
Rangoon to draw up plans and strategies on how to combat large
gatherings and disperse protestors.

As part of the preparations, the Burmese military junta is also
currently organising three-week crash courses on handling small
arms for the families of all policemen and officers in all nine
riot police regiments under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

"These are unwelcome developments because the memories of riot
police beating and killing unarmed civilians in the past remain
in the minds of the people," said ABSDF Foreign Affairs
Secretary, Aung Naing Oo. "These preparations for confrontation
could ignite the deep-rooted anti-government sentiment that
exists among the people."  

Over the years, the riot police have been largely responsible for
igniting student demonstrations in Burma. In March 1988, riot
police shot and killed two students at Rangoon Institute of
Technology (RIT) and 41 students also suffocated to death in a
police van at Inya Lake. In response, students demonstrated
throughout the country and their protests spread to involve
civilians. 

Sources in Rangoon said that the current preparations are seen
largely as an attempt to counter any confrontation arising out of
NLD's ultimatum to convene parliament, the upcoming 10th
anniversary of August 1988 and the planned University
examinations in the second week of August. 

The military junta has also given a one-off bonus of 1,000 kyat
to all policemen in Regiments 1 and 8 for their service during
the December 1996 student demonstrations in Rangoon and the March
1997 Monks' movement. During these crackdowns, the police
detained 187 students and about 100 monks.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)

For more information please contact 01-654 4984, 01-253 9082.