Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh: The Burmese opposition in exile in Bangladesh today distributed leaflets in Cox's Bazaar and submitted a statement to the foreign embassies in Bangladesh, protesting against the visit of General Maung Aye, the number two man in the country's military hierarchy.

The Bangladesh branch of the Sasana Molli, which led the Burmese opposition in exile, distributed leaflets with a picture of General Maung Aye captioned "Killer" to local people in places like bus stations, markets, cinema halls and road junctions, said a protester.

"In Cox's Bazaar, security was tight because the delegation from Burma was to visit the Buddhist monastery and other places. We were unable to put up posters and leaflets in the markets. We will try again in the market in the evening," said Ko Naing Naing to Kaladan News.    

Some of the Burmese opposition met media persons in Cox's Bazaar Press Club and narrated the crack down by the Burmese junta on people and monks where many were killed in September 2007. The visiting Burmese general, who was also responsible for the crack down, will visit the Chittagong Hill Tract tomorrow. The opposition group needs the support of the media in its struggle to restore democracy in Burma and for coverage of the demonstration against the Burmese general, he added.

During the talks the two leaders from Dhaka and Rangoon discussed early construction of a 23-kilometre road linking Burma at a cost of 20.3 million U.S. dollars.

The Sasana Molli condemned the regime and released a statement on the road construction in Arakan, saying there would be forced labour for villagers on the stretch of road, relocation, rape and demolition of religious buildings such as Mosques, Madarasas and Pagodas.

When Dhaka requested Rangoon to export rice to Bangladesh to meet its growing demand for food, the Burmese delegation responded positively. The foreign adviser said Rangoon agreed to export up to 100,000 tonnes of rice to Bangladesh on a regular basis as the country has taken care of the damage caused by Cyclone Nargis.

"All the people in Burma are facing starvation as the country has no food for the public, but the regime is going to sell rice to other countries, not caring for the people of its own country," said U Chan Da Wara, the spoke person of  Sasana Molli in Cox's Bazaar.