New Delhi – Local Burmese military junta authorities in cyclone-hit Kungyankone, Rangoon Division have begun seizing video and still cameras. At least 10 have been confiscated so far.

The seizure of video and still cameras came in the wake of news appearing in state-run newspapers that anti-government elements and self centred people were making money from concocted and fabricated news and by filming video footage of cyclone relief efforts and reconstruction work.

"The authorities seized four digital video cameras and at least six still cameras in Kungyankone. They are seizing the cameras even from people's homes," a person who returned from Kun Chan Kone told Mizzima.

They took away the cameras from video shops and studios which make documentary videos and are into still photography at weddings and other social and religious functions. Though the authorities said they were taking the cameras just for a while, the cameras have not yet been returned to the owners, he added.

The authorities detained famous actor and comedian Ko Zarganar on May 4 evening. He was helping cyclone victims with relief materials.

The authorities also seized Cyclone Nargis documentary videos and song albums sung on the cyclone by children from his home.

The documentary VCDs and photographs of the killer cyclone which lashed some townships in Rangoon and Irrawaddy Divisions on May 2 and 3 were very popular among local people and were selling briskly. The video footage captured scenes of bodies strewn around, uprooted trees, collapsed houses and lampposts and debris heaped on the streets.