New Delhi – Four political prisoners, including prominent 88 generation student, Markee have been locked away in dark cells in the notorious Insein prison in Rangoon by prison authorities, activists sources said.

The prison authorities have sealed off an 88 generation student Markee, Kyi Phyu and Myo Thant from the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) network, and Htin Kyaw, who led protests last year against the rising commodity prices, for various charges, the source, who is also on the run from the ruling junta, said.

Markee was locked away for sending a letter to relatives visiting him in the prison and Kyi Phyu was put away about a month ago on charges of violating prison rules, said the source. However, the reason for confining the other two – Htin Kyaw and Myo Thant – is unknown.

Thi Thi Soe, sister of Myo Thant, who visited the prison, said, "I can't meet my brother and I can't even send parcels. And when I asked the reason, a prison guard said he has violated prison rules. But he did not say anything when I asked how he had violated the rules."

She added that she is worried about her brother Myo Thant, who in his 40s and is suffering from lung and cardiac problems.

Sealing off prisoners in cells is one of the worst punishments given to prisoners by authorities. The prisoners, who violate prison rules and regulations, are locked up in a small cell of about 12 ft square, which has no other openings but a small window of about six by 12 inches. The rooms, which are also called dark cells, have no bathroom or toilet and prisoners are forced to defecate in the room.

A former political prisoner in Rangoon retold Mizzima of his experience in the dark-cell saying, "we had no access to a bathroom or toilet and defecated in the room. We remained without taking a bath. It is inhuman to be kept in such a room."

"Since we did not get fresh air and we had to stay with our own excreta, people are likely to develop mental problems, not to say physical problems," added the former political prisoner.

Sources in the activist community said, authorities on February 28, arrested Kenneth, brother of Markee, Thandar Win, wife of detained 88 generation student Mya Aye, Hla Myo, husband of detained 88 generation student Mie Mie.