Kyauk Pru: A lone protester, who staged a protest in Kyauk Pru in Arakan State, during Prime Minister Thein Sein's visit to the town, was severely tortured by police for demanding the release of all political prisoners in Burma, alleged a family member.

32-year-old U Tun Nu, son U Kyan Lu Maung from Zaydi Ya Village in Kyauk Pru, staged a protest on 25 November by riding around town on a motor cycle plastered with posters demanding the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

"He began his protest by riding a motor cycle demanding the release of political prisoners at 10 am on the day when the Prime Minister arrived in Kyauk Pru. Later he was arrested by police and taken to the police station where police tortured him," the family member said.

Police officer U Hla Aung, who arrested U Tun Nu, tortured him severely with a solid bamboo rod during interrogation.

"The police officer beat up and tortured U Tun Nu by asking questions one after the other. The police officers asked him rapidly who forced him to stage the protest," he said.

U Tun Nu was later sent to Kyauk Pru Township court by police after he confessed that he carried out the protest independently from his own desire to help political prisoners.

U Tun Nu was released the next evening by authorities on the guarantee of his father, who had to sign a paper saying that his son is suffering from mental illness to procure his son's release.

"U Tun Nu's father was forced by authorities to sign a paper stating that his son carried out the protest because he is mentally ill, and promised he would not indulge in such activity in the future," he added.

U Tun Nu is the first man in the town of Kyauk Pru, the second largest town in Arakan, to protest and demand the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

In Burma, more than 2,200 political prisoners are still being detained by the Burmese military junta, despite the recent release of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 13 November, 2010.