The leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Burma’s second largest winning party in the 1990 elections, Khun Htun Oo, 66, has been suffering from the swelling of his legs due to lack adequate exercise and regular medical treatment, according to Sai Lake, the SNLD spokesperson.

In April, Khun Htun Oo was reported to have been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Specialists, on consultation by his family, said it was also due to inadequate sunlight and ventilation.

However, he was refused to get medical checkup outside. He was only allowed to receive oral treatment. His family is allowed to visit him once a month.

But the family complains about difficulty of transportation to his place, Putao, the northernmost town in Burma. “There is scarcely any plane that flies to Putao even though we are allowed to send him some medicine,” one of his family members is quoted as saying.

“His family is worried if his conditions will get worse,” said Sai Lake.

Khun Htun Oo was sentenced to 93 year prison in Putao on 3 November 2005 along with 8 other Shan leaders for defamation of the state, association with illegal parties and conspiracy against the state.