Committee representing members of the
People's Parliament elected in the 1990 multi-party general elections
(Committee representing the People's
Parliament)
Notification No 19 ( 4/99)
1. In the 1990 Multiparty General Elections, the undermentioned two National League for Democracy candidates were overwhelmingly voted in by their respective constituents in Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay Division:-U Bo Zan- Constituency 1, received 35320 indisputable votes (70.87%) U Ngwe Htoon- Constituency 2, received 35735 indisputable votes (68.44%)
2. Without any
legal authority and in contravention of the provisions stipulated in the
Political Parties Registration Law and the People's Parliament Elections Law,
certain groups in authority orchestrated a demonstration on the
3. In
connection with this illegal, unjust and coercive activity we publish the
contents of a letter dated
START " Sir, this is for your
information. I am a resident of Myauktaw village, Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay
Division. I will relate to you the events of
This was how the meeting was called and held. Kyats fifty was the penalty imposed for those who failed to attend. Aung Myint, chairman
of the village SPDC announced on
the microphone that immediate payment of the penalty had to be made. About one
hundred and fifty failed to attend. The announcement was repeated three times.
About one hundred and fifteen responded and made payment. There were about
thirty five who delayed. Ya Nyunt, police in charge
of the outpost and a constable went to the houses of those who had not paid and
in Japanese-era-style kicked in the closed doors and demanded payment. They
were ordered to immediately attend at the house of the headman. The headman's
house where these villagers were sitting huddles together, Ya
Nyunt demanded an explanation from them for their failure to attend the
meeting. He said that they would have to be associated with the NLD and would
have to be sent to the Police Station. The headman Aung Myint
told them that he had been reprimanded by the Township Officer and insulted
because the attendance was very small. He said that because of this, he was
going to have them arrested. These were the many ways and devices used to
threaten and harass them. Orders were then given to Ya
Nyunt and one constable to dispatch those 35 who had not paid the fine to the Popa Police Station. Then they were allowed to
disperse. On 17.2.99 they were again summoned to attend at the house of the
headman Aung Myint and threatened. It was about
A grandmother Daw Mai 9age 65) was one amongst those who had
to walk to Popa. Due to under-nourishment, a weak
physical condition and fear of imprisonment, she fainted on the way. Maung Saw Htay, Daw San Kyi, Daw Kyi Shin and Daw Thay
Khin helped to revive her. Daw Tin Kyi, a widow was very distressed and kept
calling out that because her husband was no longer with her she was suffering
such a plight. She had hysterical fits three times and could not stop weeping
and crying out. (This happened at Popa-lwin village).
Finally on arrival at Popa at
hundred was collected from 29 persons by U Pwe and deposited in the hands of the chairman. That money belongs to the impoverished and widows. To get that money they pursued and employed all these devices and are dealing with the people in this manner.
In making this report I ask how can we, the poor and impoverished, continue with this kind of existence."
END
4. The authorities are operating in an illegal and abominable way against the people. The expression "peoples' wishes" is being misconstrued. The word 'wish' connotes a personal desire without intervention or force from another. The authorities are blatantly forcing, intimidating, penalising and persecuting the people to behave against their own personal desires and wishes. What a tragic situation!
5. The above activities of the authorities is strongly and emphatically deplored by us.
Committee Representing the People's Parliament
(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for Democracy.)