Sales of radio sets have been going up in Kalemyo and Tamu Township, Sagaing division western Burma, with more and more people tuning into foreign radio program to listen to news about Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.
"I used to sell only three radio sets a month earlier. But now I sell five radios a day as the demand is increasing because people want to listen to news of Daw Suu's trial," said a local shop keeper.
The local people are remotely not interested in the junta run newspapers and radio. They are keen to listen to BBC, VOA and RFA for Suu Kyi’s trial. They have gone to the extent of selling their domestic animals to buy a radio.
“I sold my chickens and purchased a radio. It cost me Kyat 8,000. I read about Daw Suu’s trial in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper everyday but I do not believe what they say. I have faith in VOA, BBC and RFA. I listen to these programmes at 6 p.m. every day,” said a local woman.
Most women are worried about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her trial. They are offering prayers for her day and night.
“I am really worried about her. I am praying for her health, for her to emerge victorious in her trial and that the junta can do no harm to her,” said a woman on condition of anonymity.
Similarly, a report said that most Chin people in Chin state are keenly following Suu Kyi’s trial. Some went to Mizoram state, India to buy radios.
“We are totally dependent on radios as we live in remote areas. But we have to hide the radio sets when soldiers come to our place. We go to school teachers who have radio sets to listen to VOA, BBC news at 6 p.m.,” said a local.
Although the military junta prohibits listening to BBC, VOA and RFA news in the country, families of troops and some soldiers listen secretly, said a relative of a soldier.