Mizzima News

A lone demonstrator in Twante Township, Rangoon was arrested by the police on Friday, an eyewitness said.

Aung Phe, a private tutor, was detained by local authorities including the police and township officials, after he stood for over five hours outside the township National League for Democracy office, the eyewitness said.

“He did not shout slogans or hold aloft placards but stood still inside a circle from 6 a.m. to about 11 a.m. (local time). The police along with township officials came and whisked him away,” said the eyewitness, who saw the incident from her shop located near the protest site.

The Twante police station could not be reached for comment.

Demonstrations in Burma are a rarity but not uncommon. On March 20, at least 20 victims of Cyclone Nargis in Twante Township staged a peaceful protest demanding fair treatment by officials outside the township Myanmar Red Cross Society office over reconstruction of their houses.