Kyaukpyu, Arakan:  Silent protest marches marked the 20th anniversary of the brutally crushed '8-8-88' democracy uprising in most towns of Arakan State  in Taunggup, Kyaukpyu, Rambree and Akyab on August 8, said a local elder from Kyaukpyu.
 
Burma's military regime arrested 21 activists near Nackmoaw village some distance from Taungup, when they were coming peacefully to the main town of Taungup for a silent protest march, he added.
 
Thein Naing, a senior member of the opposition National League for Democracy, (NLD) in northwest state of Arakan, said they were released after questioning and had to sign an undertaking. He also confirmed that five men who played a leading role are still in custody and their fate is unknown.
 
Similarly, in Kyaukpyu, two army trucks with army personnel from the light Infantry Battalion, (LIB) 34 foiled and dispersed those who are in a silent protest march near the fire bridge junction at about 8 am. No body was arrested, said an activist, who was in the group.
 
In Rambree, Maung Aye Thein, a teacher of a State Middle School No. 1 and U Thumana, an abbot from Rambree Taung Kyaunn monastery were detained, said a student from Rambree.
 
About 40 activists demonstrated against the Burmese military junta on the 20th anniversary of the 8-8-88 nationwide uprising in Burma, he added.
 
Arm personnel dispersed activists who were gathering to demonstrate on the 20th anniversary at Paragyi, the largest temple in Akyab, said an eyewitness.
 
Monks from several monasteries gathered in the morning inside Paragyi temple to march along the streets against the junta, but they were unable to carry out their plan after army personnel moved in to the temple. There is no information on whether it is taking action against the monks who were preparing to stage the demonstration in Sittwe on August 8, sources said.