Security forces stormed the compound of Sittwe University on Tuesday as student's commemorated Ven. Ottama day by wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the image of Ottama.
"I heard that 200 students were unable to go out of the Sittwe University compound because security forces had blocked the gates, he said.
Students from Sittwe University celebrated Ashin Ottama day by wearing Tshirts with his image, and security personnel responded by rushing to the university and occupying the campus.
"I do not know what is happening in Sittwe University because I have not been able to go to the university as security personnel are blocking all entry gates to the campus," he said.
Many relatives of students went to the university to find out what happened after the news spread in Sittwe, but were only able to watch the scene from a distance.
September 9 was the 69th anniversary of Ashin Ottama Memorial Day, and many Arakanese youths wore T-shirts with Ottama's image to honour his contribution to Burma's independence movement.
However, the Burmese military authorities do not allow celebrating Ashin Ottama day anywhere in Burma on the grounds of sectarian Burmannationalism.
Narinjara telephoned several parents of students to find out about the latest situation at the university, but none had received any information till then.
A parent of one student said, "We went to Sittwe University to see what was happening there, but the army authorities blocked the road leading to the campus. So it is difficult for me to tell you what is happening there."
Sittwe University is located in a suburban area of Sittwe and has nearly 5,000 students studying a variety of subjects.
Monks in Sittwe also celebrated Ashin Ottama day in their respective monasteries in Sittwe, despite the authority's ban on honouring the occasion. Arakanese communities in exile in Bangladesh, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, Britain, Norway, and the United States also observed the day to honour Ven. Ottama's dedication of his life for Burma's independence from colonial powers.
