Ind0-Burma border news

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Statement of the Kuki Students' Democratic Front (Burma) 
concerning groundless arrest of Mr. Paul a Kuki nationality 
and democracy activist by SLORC.
 
 
Mr. Paul a Kuki nationality and democracy activist from 
the Moulnoi village of Homlin township, Saggaing division 
of Burma was arrested by military intelligent persons in 
Rangoon on 2nd October 1996.
 
Mr. Paul left Homlin for Rangoon in mid September 1996 
to meet and discuss with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi regarding 
present political situation of Burma, attitude of NLD party 
on ethnic nationalities affairs and role of Kuki nationality 
in Federal Union of Burma in future. 
 
He was arrested by the MI persons on the way to Daw 
Aung San Suu Kyi's residence when he was trying to cross 
the road blockage by security forces on the way to her 
residence.
 
During the period of interrogation he faced with several 
brutal tortures by MI persons and he was forced to confess 
as a representative of outlaw Kuki underground 
organization. After that he was sentenced to eight years 
imprisonment by a military tribunal at Rangoon and now he 
is kept in notorious Insein jail in Rangoon. The authorities 
of jail did not allow him to meet with his relatives and 
friends. He does not receive regular, adequate and proper 
food. He is continuously being tortured physically and 
mentally by authorities of the jail. Although he is suffering 
from serious illness he has no chance to achieve medical 
care even at the jail hospital. 
 
We the KSDF (Burma) personally and practically know 
about Mr. Paul as an active and sincere Kuki youth who has 
no contact and activity with any anti-SLORC organization 
in exile. He personally tried to meet and discuss with Daw 
Aung San Suu Kyi based on his personal political outlook. 
There are a lot of such political prisoners in several jails of 
Burma.
 
We the KSDF (Burma) strongly condemn the SLORC for 
arresting his own people who have political consciousness 
and tried to meet and discuss with democracy leader Daw 
Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
 
 
This manner of the SLORC clearly shows that they do not 
accept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a national leader and 
they consider her as outlaw person even though they dare 
not arrest her. The SLORC is attempting to crush all 
persons those who are politically concious and anti-SLORC 
minded by making Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a bait.
 
We strongly belief that similar happening will occur more 
and more in future and no political problems can be solved 
unless the SLORC refuses the dialogue with its 
oppositions.
 
We are worried about the condition of Mr. Paul and we 
would like to appeal to all international communities, 
human rights organizations and all NGOs to try with great 
effort for the release of Mr. Paul who is now in Insein jail 
of Burma. 
 
The Kuki Students' Democracy Front (Burma) has 
recognized and recorded Mr. Paul as a brave active youth 
and his goodwill towards Kuki people.
 
 
Kuki Students' Democratic Front (Burma)  
Date, 02.09.97