Burmese activists protest on 20th anniversary of coup

Burmese activists protest on 20th anniversary of coup
by -
Phanida, Huaipi
Anti-government leaflets were distributed in Myitkyina, Kachin State on Thursday to condemn the 20th anniversary of the military coup in Burma...

Anti-government leaflets were distributed in Myitkyina, Kachin State on Thursday to condemn the 20th anniversary of the military coup in Burma.

Spokesperson of the 'All Kachin Students Union' (AKSU) told Mizzima that activists distributed and pasted anti-regime leaflets elsewhere in Myitkyina such as in high schools, university, colleges, government offices and residential blocks.

"We want to show our solidarity with all the students and monks in Burma while our second objective was to stage demonstrations on the 20th anniversary of the military coup," AKSU spokesperson said.

The students, who distributed about 400 leaflets printed on A-4 size papers, said they will continue to distribute the leaflets despite local authorities removing and seizing the posters, one of them said.

"The authorities removed and seized the leaflets as soon as they found them at about 9 a.m. today. We heard that the authorities announced cash rewards for information leading to our arrest. However we will continue what we have to do," he added.

On September 18, 1988, Burmese military made coup after brutally and ruthlessly cracking down on a nationwide uprising which left at least 3,000 dead and many injured.

Meanwhile, to denounce the junta's brutal military coup, pro-democracy activists in New Delhi, staged demonstrations near condemning the generals, who has persistently cling on to power for the last twenty years despite of international and internal pressures.

Dr. Tint Swe, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office (West) of the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), during his speech at the protest, urges the people to remain resolute and unwavering in their struggle for democracy.

"We must work for our cause. Democracy can be achieved and restored only by the force of the people. All the people must continue their struggle bravely and resolutely. We must fight," he said.

Similarly, Burmese activists and their supporters in various parts of the world including Malaysia, United States, and Japan held demonstrations condemning the junta for its military coup 20 years ago and call for the immediate political reformation in Burma.