MIZZIMA: A Burmese activist arreste

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Subject: MIZZIMA: A Burmese activist arrested in Indo-Burma border

A Burmese activist arrested in Indo-Burma border

By MIZZIMA News Group
July 30, 1999

Local police in Moreh, Indian border town with Burma arrested Ko Nyo, a
member of All Burma Students League (ABSL), yesterday. He was arrested
in Moreh at about 6.30 p.m.

This was confirmed by a press release issued by the ABSL in Manipur
State of India on July 30, 1999. The ABSL is India-based Burmese student
organization, which is struggling for the restoration of democracy in
Burma.

According to the press release, the warrant to arrest Ko Nyo was issued
three days before his actual arrest. Mr. Th. Daniesh Singh, Sub
Divisional Police Officer (SPDO) in Moreh, executed the warrant. It said
that Manipur Home Ministry issued the warrant with a directive from
Indian Central Government and he was arrested without any formal
charges. Ko Nyo is currently detained in the bungalow of SPDO, Moreh.

The ABSL, in its press release, requested the Government of India to
release Ko Nyo from detention as soon as possible. Moreover, it
condemned the ruling military regime in Burma, which it thinks to be
playing active role behind the arrest of Ko Nyo who is a Burmese
pro-democracy activist.

Ko Nyo has been living in India since 1988 and he is a recognized
refugee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He
is currently working as India-based stringer for Radio Free Asia
(Burmese Language Service).

It is noted that Home Ministry officials from India and Burma were
meeting in New Delhi from July 28 to July 30. This was the Sixth
National Level talks between India and Burma. The Indian delegation was
led by Home Secretary Mr. Kamal Pandey while Burmese delegation was led
by Deputy Home Minister Brig. General Thura Myint Maung. According to a
press release from Indian Home Ministry, ?the meeting was held in an
atmosphere of great warmth and cordially and helped in further
strengthening the cooperation between the two countries?.

Meanwhile, the President of Manipur People?s Party (MPP) Mr. O. Joy
Singh has condemned the arrest of the Burmese activist. In a telephone
interview with MIZZIMA, he said that such arrest without any basis is
not desirable. He has talked with the Chief Secretary of Manipur and
asked him not to deport Ko Nyo to the hands of Burmese military
government. He told MIZZIMA that he is writing to the Central Government

to give the directive to the Manipur Government to immediately release
the activist.


MIZZIMA News Group