The dean of Moulmein University (University of Mawlamyine), banned students from leaving the township after investigating a group that had attracted the attention of Burmese government officials after going on a picnic on August 2nd.
The demand came after about 50 Mon university students went to picnic at Hta-ma-tha village, in Kyaikmyaw Township on August 2nd; it takes 25 minutes from their campus. After, they traveled to Khayon Cave, a popular attraction that houses a pagoda, and then to Kaw-Bein village in the New Mon State Party (NMSP) controlled Thaton District, to have lunch at the party district office, according to a university student.
“We were investigated by the dean after returning from our trip” one of the scrutinized students said. “The dean only questioned the organizers of the trip. Students went on that trip on Sunday by gathering together themselves.”
The large band of students attracted the attention of the Kawbeen police, who reported their presence to Southeast region Command (SEC) , said students who were being investigated. The report of the student travelers reached all the way to Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burmese regime, which subsequently ordered the dean of the university to inspect the case.
The students have since been banned from praying the Dhamase kja (Buddha scripture) at the Kyaik Thalan pagoda, for fear that large gathering of students at such a location would lead to their organizing, and the gathering becoming political.
According to students, they must report to the dean before they travel in the future, and are specifically banned from travel without his permission. In advance of future travels, students must include in their report where they are going, when they intend to travel, how long, and why they are traveling. According to a student source, students will face pace punishment or have action taken against them by the school if they travel outside of the township without first getting permission from the dean. Additionally the students, who stand out because of their Mon clothing, are under increased scrutiny from government authorities, and are followed regularly by the police.
Due to the heightened security of student’s daily lives, and travel restriction enforced by the university, Mon university students were unable to attend at the ceremony of 62nd Mon Revolution Day held in Mudon township. Mon Revolution Day celebrates the founding of the New Mon State Party in 1948, and the beginning of the Mon struggle for an independent state.
Additionally, Burmese government authorities are increasing security due to the approaching anniversary of the 8-8-88 uprising, in which pro democracy protests nearly toppled the military junta, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians in the subsequent government crackdown. Security has also been increased in advance of the August 11th verdict that will be rendered in the most recent trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
