Burmese Authorities Hunt Down Key Activists

Burmese authorities are desperately hunting down key activists following what has been a series of small, guerilla-style protests that began last Sunday. One of the authorities' major weapons has been to conduct thorough searches of their homes and confiscate "illegal items."

Authorities are searching for Htay Kywe, left, who is now in hiding following the detention of fellow activists Ko Ko Gyi, middle, and Min Ko Naing

On Friday night, authorities launched searches in the homes of several activists who played key roles in the recent protests against the government’s sudden, sharp increase in fuel prices on August 15.

After midnight, authorities entered the home and arrested activist Sandar Min, in Bahan Township, a member of the 88 Generation Students group, and searched the entire home.

Similarly, about 40 people raided the home of activist Tin Htoo Aung Friday night, and he narrowly escaped through a back door, according to a friend.

Meanwhile, activist Aung Naing, who made a speech during a recent protest, is also being pursued by authorities who searched his home Friday night.

Activist Htin Kyaw was arrested on Saturday afternoon shortly after his small group staged a protest in front of Theingyi Market in downtown Rangoon at 1 p.m. Authorities had offered a reward of 500,000 kyat (US $400) for his arrest.

Htin Kyaw had been targeted for arrest by authorities following the Rangoon-based Myanmar Development Committee's announcement that it would stage a demonstration against the regime's increase in fuel prices.

Another prominent activist, Htay Kywe, a leader of the 88 Generation Students group, has been in hiding since 13 of his fellow leaders were arrested on Tuesday after they organized a peaceful march on Sunday against the rise in fuel prices. Among the 13 arrested was activist Min Ko Naing, one of the most prominent leaders of the nationwide 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

While in hiding, Htay Kywe told The Irrawaddy by phone, "Photos of Ko Htin Kyaw and me were given to checkpoints in Rangoon and other cities with orders to arrest us.” He said he was told there was a 500,000 kyat ($400) reward his arrest.

Htay Kywe, who has spent more than a decade in the junta’s prisons, said, “We hold these demonstrations on behalf of the people only to highlight the problems they are facing.”

The state-run newspapers on Saturday accused Htay Kywe and his fellow activists of the 88 Generation Students group of "agitating" to undermine Burma's stability and security and attempting to disrupt the National Convention by “committing terrorist acts.” The official newspapers said those arrested were being interrogated and would be dealt with according to existing laws. The articles suggested they could face up to 20 years imprisonment.

Currently, there is no information on the whereabouts of those arrested, and family members are concerned about their treatment and health.

Myint Thein, a spokesman at the headquarters of the opposition National League for Democracy in Rangoon, said it is reported the student group leaders are being held in Insein Prison, but that has not been independently confirmed. In addition to the arrests of the 13 leading activists, 50 other demonstrators were detained in recent days, according to The New Light of Myanmar, a government newspaper.

“We all are more worried about my brother after authorities searched our house three times,” said the sister of Panneik Tun, who was arrested with the leading members of the 88 Generation Students group on Tuesday.

“Authorities were offensive when they searched our home the last time,” she told The Irrawaddy by phone. “We don’t like the way they treated us. I am also worried for my parents, who are not in good health.”

She said authorities confiscated a computer, a mobile phone, photo albums and a copy of a poem which was translated by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Similarly, mobile phones, computers, documents and photo albums were confiscated during the searches of other homes of the 88 Generation Students group.

Win Maung, the father of prominent detained activist Pyone Cho, said authorities confiscated a book of poems, pictures of Suu Kyi and pamphlets about their late son Thet Win Aung, who died last year in prison where he was serving a 60-year sentence for political activities.