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NLD Statement 5 in English
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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