Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The local Burmese military junta authorities arrested nine persons in Zaythit Ward, Twante, Rangoon Division at about 1 a.m. yesterday for allegedly not registering overnight guests.

The Ward Peace and Development Council (PDC) Chairman, hundred-household headmen, police, immigration, fire fighters and beat constables came and arrested 'Miba Metta' fishery exchange owner Khin Zaw and his employees Aung Ko Latt, Htwe Hla, Naing Lin, Than Myint, Zaw Myo Latt, Kyaw Thu Lynn, Tint Tint Hla and her baby.

Khin Zaw is known by local residents as the person who joined hands with the 'National League for Democracy' (NLD) party members in exposing corruption and bribery cases of local authorities. Last month he also signed for the signature campaign launched for the release of NLD leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo.

"All of them had registered in the guest register. But they were arrested at about 1 o'clock yesterday and sent to police custody. A total of eight persons, workers, a mother and her infant were arrested. They did not get bail yesterday", Township NLD Organizing Committee Joint-Secretary Zaw Min Tun said.

The workers hail from Obo East, Obo West, Kunchan Ward, Mya Koe village in Twante Township and Zwekapin village in Maubin Township. All of them are still in township police custody.

"According to the Towns Act, people living in the same township do not need to register as guests. Only the people from other townships need to register in the guest register as stipulated by the Act. However, all of them were registered according to the law by 'Miba Metta' fishery exchange. But they were arrested contrary to the law,” Zaw Min Tun said.

"They were registered with Twante Police Special Branch (SB), Township Police Officer, Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, Beat Constable and Sub-Inspector of Police Aung Naing Oo too. We have records that all of them signed," he added.

It is learnt that Ward PDC Chairman Than Oo will file a case against all of them because of non-performance of guest registration at Twante Township court. The Township NLD Chairman and advocate Kyin Toe are acting as defence lawyers in this case.

Similarly at midnight on February 27, Ward PDC Chairman Than Oo and his colleagues accompanied by two police personnel came and searched the NLD members’ homes on the pretext of inspecting overnight guests staying there. Then Khin Zaw filed a case of trespassing of the premises by the police, but the Station House Officer refused to register the case.

Mizzima contacted Twante Police Station to verify the case and for more details. An official at the police station confirmed the arrests of the people but refused to give details as he was not authorized to talk about the case, he said.  He hung up.