Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese junta authorities in Rangoon’s Twante Township on Tuesday arrested two members of the opposition National League for Democracy for arranging a prayer meeting for the release of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
At least 50 members of the NLD on Tuesday gathered in Twante Township to pray for the release of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
Following the prayer meeting, the Township NLD Vice-Chairman Chit Pe, 60 and Township Organizing Committee member Maung Soe Wei, 40, were both arrested by local authorities for organizing the meeting.
Myo Tun, younger brother of Maung Soe Wei, in an interview to Mizzima on Tuesday said, about half an hour after concluding the prayer meeting, an official came to their residence saying he needed to take Maung Soe Wei for interrogation.
“We told him that he should come with an official letter. But he waited until we finished our lunch and took away my brother at about 11:15 am,” he added.
Maung Soe Wai was taken to Twante town and was immediately put in a police lockup, Myo Tun said.
“None of us are allowed to mee him,” he said.
Chit Pe before his arrest on Tuesday told Mizzima over telephone that the prayer meeting was being organized for the first time by the Twante Township NLD for the release of political prisoners.
"We prayed mainly for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Today we began the prayers at about at 8 am and concluded it at 9 am. About 50 people attended,” he said.
Chit Pe said the prayer meeting would continue every Tuesday at the southeast corner of the Pagoda platform.
Khine Mar, who was at the prayer meeting said, police from the Special Branch and six other policemen monitored the meeting and took audio records besides noting down the names of participants.
Khine Mar said people were enthusiastic about the meeting and joined bravely despite being watched by the authorities.
“In times of difficulties people dare to take risks and initiate things despite knowing the consequences. Villagers and youths were not scared and shaky at the meeting. They said they will strike against the dictatorship in various ways," Khine Mar said.
