ABSDF: More than 100 DPNS Members a

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Media Release
September 11, 1998

More Than 100 Democratic Party Members Arrested Since May

Burma's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has arrested
more than 100 members of the Democratic Party for New Society
(DPNS) since May, according to party officials.

The military regime began the crackdown on the DPNS members in
May in Rangoon, Mandalay, Pegu, Sagaing, and Irrawaddy Delta
areas.

Many of the DPNS detainees have been given long prison terms.
This arrest will be the fourth period of detention for one of the
detainees, Ko Nyein Chan, who is currently being held in
Thayawaddy Prison in central Burma.

The DPNS said that four key leaders - Ko Nyein Chan, Yar Kyaw, Ma
Thida and Ma Ohmar - were jailed during May and June while five
other former leaders - Aye Ko, Tin Ko Aung, Min Naing, Ma Ni and
Kyaw Soe - were jailed in August.

During the past three months, Burmese Military Intelligence
officers have conducted several special operations in upper
Burma, focusing on both current and former members of the DPNS.
As a result more than 100 people have been taken into custody. 

DPNS Chairman Aung Moe Zaw said that the SPDC is arresting
everyone, including former members who have served time in prison
for their involvement with the pro-democracy struggle and have
now washed their hands of politics. 

"The military junta is extremely worried about DPNS members
joining up with the NLD and other political organisations.  We
want the military junta to know that country's problems will not
be solved by putting everyone behind bars; it will only escalate
tension and resentment among the people." 

Founded in 1988 after the military takeover, the DPNS is a
political party of youth and students and was Burma's second
largest political party after the National League for Democracy
(NLD) until it was outlawed in 1990.  As a result, many party
officials fled to border areas while many of its leaders were
given long prison terms.

Meanwhile, yesterday some 100 high school students held a
demonstration in Myaynegone, Rangoon, the second protest by high
school students since Wednesday.  

All Burma Students' Democratic Front 

For more information please call 01-961 9189 (DPNS), 01-654 4984
(ABSDF)