Eight NMSP members released, but three more members have been arrested again

Independent Mon News Agency

September 29, 2004

Yesterday, Burmese military government released eight New Mon State Party members that were arrested on June 29 2004, the day of NMSP made cease-fire agreement reached for 9 years. But there are more than three of NMSP members from Tavoy district have been arrested on September 14 by the Burmese government and it made more badly relationship between NMSP and the government.

“Nai Ron Nai groups were released on yesterday at 10 PM and Nai Nyan Tun a NMSP central member picked them back,” NMSP spoke person Nai Aung Shein said.

But NMSP members; Mr.Nai Arnint, Mr. Nai Con Ba, Mr.Nai Halae, Nai Tin Sein and Nai Dwe again arrested on September 14, 2004 by captain Nyi Nyi Htwe under the command of Infantry Battalion No.408, in Alae-sa-khan village Yepyu Township, the source reported and villagers from the area said.

“The new NMSP members were arrested with accusation of by not giving back the Burmese army weapon,” the source added. The weapons were surrendered from Mon splinter groups moving in the area and these weapons are Kyough-ca-din village militia’s weapon that were seized by the splinter groups, the captain Nyi Nyi Htwe accused. And he also accused Mon splinter groups was puppet by NMSP,” the source in the area reported.

“Captain Nyi Nyi Htwe destroyed the NMSP office in the Alaesakhan village, destroyed these entire member houses in Alaesakhan village and seized 3 handguns, 1 AK and 1 M gun from these NMSP members” the source and Nai Se from that area who reached border told. The NMSP members have been detained in the IB No.408 based and bloody beaten, added by Nai Se a villager from the area and the source.

“No body dares to travel in the area with NMSP traveling letter. Even NMSP member did not dare because IB No.408 ordered arrested all NMSP member and supporter or family in the area,” the source said.

“It is true; we cannot go to inside Burma with NMSP traveling letter. They beat all. That is why we brought the landmine-stepped villager to the border for treatment,” Nai Se and his friend who carried landmine-stepped villager reached border yesterday told IMNA

Because of Captain Nyi Nyi destroyed the NMSP office and arrested, Mon National School in the village also were closed with the afraid of them said the source.

According to villagers and source in the area, the NMSP lower rank member unsatisfied with the case and wanted to fight back.

“On that case, NMSP leader in Tavoy district do not take responsibility yet. But they are trying to find way to solve it,” the source added.

Burmese government arrested NMSP members for three times in this years and made shocked to NMSP who are leading role in the cease-fire groups that attended National Convention.

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