In a well conceived plan which has to do with governmental and social boycott, a campaign of 'non-cooperation' will be begun by an unidentified Burmese activist group. It has urged all government employees to stop working and stay at home from the January 1, 2008 for a break down of the junta's governance.
With the slogan "Freedom to all on August 8, 2008", the activist group, in an email message to Mizzima said they have planned to launch the new campaign of 'non-cooperation', where they will request all government servants to defy the regime by staying at home from New Year's Day.
While the existence and authenticity of the group could not be independently confirmed, the group in their email said, "We cannot wait in uncertainty and for tricky 'TALKS'. Don't be trapped in dialogue. 2008, August 8 is set for FREEDOM for all."
In the wake of the September 'Saffron Revolution', which was brutally suppressed by the ruling junta, several satellite groups, which claim to have been formed secretly, have emerged and have been campaigning for a public boycott of the junta and its business cronies.
An activist in Rangoon, who maintains a close relationship with such groups, told Mizzima that they have effectively urged the people not to buy weekly journals run by the junta's cronies, to avoid using buses whose owners are known to have a good relationship with the junta's generals and not buy goods from shops and stores owned by junta's henchmen.
"For instance if it is question of using transport, people should start avoiding buses like the Paramy, Ahtih Pathih, and other government operated bus services. It began within a circle of friends and has spread to larger groups now," added the activist, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
Moreover the activists have also targeted business enterprises, and are making a list of shops, stores, and other business houses run by the junta or their associates. The groups are likely to come out with a comprehensive list soon and will begin their campaign against the junta's business enterprises, added the activist.
Kyaw Kyaw, a member of the All Burma Federation of Students' Union, a group banned by the junta, said, "These kinds of activities are effective in its own way. Small businesses also needed to be targetted. If we can shake these small businesses, it will hit the junta hard."
However, Kyaw Kyaw said he would rather go on a slower pace to launch the 'non-cooperation' campaign that calls on all government employees to boycott the junta by staying home.
"I am not sure whether many people will join the campaign because most government servants are tied to their services for their daily bread. Besides, there are several other factors that they need to consider. So, I would rather take more time to build up the momentum of the campaign," Kyaw Kyaw added.
The group, in the email message said the boycott would be kick-started if the government fails to release all political prisoners including monks and students arrested during the August-September protests and apologize to the monks for its brutality on them, before December 31, 2007.
