{rokbox album=|Fresh restrictions have been imposed in the Passport Office in Rangoon after authorities found out that some blacklisted people have got passports under fake names by bribing officials. Photo – Mizzima. Authorities have also restricted taking office documents outside.|}/files/images/2009/passport-office.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Old and worn-out Burmese currency notes,  humorously dubbed ‘Myeik Dollars’ by locals because it is too old, in circulation in  Southern Burma’s Myeik town. Photo – Mizzima. Burma’s state-run newspaper the New Light of Myanmar on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, announced that the Myanmar Central Bank will exchange old and worn-out banknotes with new ones.|}/files/images/2009/old-money2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Roadside shops and vendors on a Rangoon footpath. Photo – Mizzima. Rangoon’s Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn said in November that the decades old practice of roadside selling on platforms and footpaths in downtown Rangoon will be banned except in designated areas.|}/files/images/2009/street-shop.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|The scene of Kala Jaung quarter in Hpakant jade mining city aftermath of flood|}/files/images/2009/071509-hpakant-flood1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Uru Hka river flooded Hpakant jade mining city.|}/files/images/2009/071509-hpakant-flood5.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Suspended bridge on Uru Hka River connecting Hpakant and Mashi Kahtaw|}/files/images/2009/071509-hpakant-flood4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Five people in the car were killed by landslide dug out from jade mines in Maw One village|}/files/images/2009/071509-hpakant-flood2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Debris in Kala Jaung quarter aftermath of the flood|}/files/images/2009/071509-hpakant-flood3.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Family members and relatives of Burma’s martyrs pay tribute to those, who sacrificed their lives for the country, at Rangoon’s Martyr’s Mausoleum.  Photo – Mizzima. Burma’s Independence architect General Aung San and eight cabinet members along with a personal guard were assassinated on the orders of a political rival Galone U Saw, months before Burma was officially declared independent. But under the current military rulers, since 1988, hoisting of the country’s flag at half mast on government offices has not been done and no special programmes on the state-run radio on the day is allowed.|}/files/images/2009/62nd-martyr-day6.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Rangoon’s Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn saluting and placing flowers as a tribute to martyrs at the Martyr’s Mausoleum on July 19, 2009. Photo – Mizzima. Burma’s Independence architect General Aung San and eight cabinet members along with a personal guard were assassinated on the orders of a political rival Galone U Saw, months before Burma was officially declared independent. Except an official ceremony to observe the Martyr’s Day at the Rangoon’s Martyr’s Mausoleum, the government has stopped airing special programmes on the state-run radio in honour of martyrs. And no government office marks the day by hoisting the flag at half-mast.|}/files/images/2009/62nd-martyr-day5.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|While members of NLD party observed the 62nd Martyr’s Day, pro-military government civilians including members of Swan Arrshin have secretly observed on the gathering. Photo – Mizzima. Unlike earlier years, authorities made no visible efforts to mark the Day and had not ordered government offices across the country to hoist half-flag as it usually does.|}/files/images/2009/62nd-martyr-day3.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Members of National League for Democracy saluting Burma’s Martyrs including General Aung San, architect of the country’s independence, on Martyr’s Day, July 19, 2009. Photo – Mizzima. With the government making no special announcements and events to mark the day, the Martyr’s Day has largely remained unnoticed. While General Aung San’s daughter Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of NLD, remains under detention, her party members gathered at party office to mark the 62nd Martyr’s Day.|}/files/images/2009/62nd-martyr-day2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Hla Myo, a member of the Pan Say People’s Militia in Northern Shan State, on July 15 shot Hnam Hpao Hkam of Hnam Hkam Township. She has reportedly been admitted to Ruili Hospital on the Sino-Burmese border for treatment. Photo – Myo Gyi/Mizzima. The bullet pierced her left cheek, passing below the ear.|}/files/images/2009/nang-kham-pawng2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Hla Myo, a member of the Pan Say People’s Militia in Northern Shan State, on July 15 shot Hnam Hpao Hkam of Hnam Hkam Township. She has reportedly been admitted to Ruili Hospital on the Sino-Burmese border for treatment. Photo – Myo Gyi/Mizzima. The bullet pierced her left cheek, passing below the ear.|}/files/images/2009/nang-kham-pawng1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Burmese port authorities on Wednesday held a meeting related to the explosion on July 14 in the Asia World Port Terminal. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/Asia_World_port2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Burmese port authorities on Wednesday held a meeting related to the explosion on July 14 in the Asia World Port Terminal. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/Asia_World_port1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Border fencing near Taung Phyo Village in Maungdaw Township,  Arakan state bordering Bangladesh. Photo – Mizzima. With the onset of monsoon, authorities have stopped work on the border fencing.|}/files/images/2009/Burma-Bangladesh-fence2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Border fencing near Taung Phyo Village in Maungdaw Township,  Arakan state bordering Bangladesh. Photo – Mizzima. With the onset of monsoon, authorities have stopped work on the border fencing.|}/files/images/2009/Burma-Bangladesh-fence1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|NDAA-ESS celebrates 20th  anniversary in Mongla, eastern Shan State on June 29-30. Photo/S.H.A.N.|}/files/images/2009/mongla20thanv7.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|NDAA-ESS celebrates 20th  anniversary in Mongla, eastern Shan State on June 29-30. Photo/S.H.A.N.|}/files/images/2009/mongla20thanv5.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|NDAA-ESS celebrates 20th  anniversary in Mongla, eastern Shan State on June 29-30. Photo/S.H.A.N.|}/files/images/2009/mongla20thanv4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|NDAA-ESS celebrates 20th  anniversary in Mongla, eastern Shan State on June 29-30. Photo/S.H.A.N.|}/files/images/2009/mongla20thanv2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|NDAA-ESS celebrates 20th  anniversary in Mongla, eastern Shan State on June 29-30. Photo/S.H.A.N.|}/files/images/2009/mongla20thanv1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Yangon United FC playing Magwe FC. Photo – Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/yangonfc-vs-magwefc4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Yangon United FC playing Magwe FC. Photo – Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/yangonfc-vs-magwefc3.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Players of Yangon United FC entering the stadium. United’s entry into the finals will largely depend on the performance of Magwe FC. Photo – Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/yangonfc-vs-magwefc2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Players of Magwe FC entering the stadium. Magwe FC needs to secure a clean sheet victory in order to qualify for the finals. Photo – Mizzima. Attendance at domestic matches has drastically increased following the introduction of a professional league.|}/files/images/2009/yangonfc-vs-magwefc1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Following detection of the A(H1N1) - swine flu - virus in Rangoon, people are increasingly seen using medicated masks in order to protect themselves from the disease. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/swine-flu-virus.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burma’s Police Chief, Khin Yi alleged at a press conference in Rangoon on Thursday that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was responsible for the secret visit of the US citizen John William Yettaw to her lake side home. Photo – Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/press-conference-khinyi.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Myint Lwin, office in-charge of the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association (MWJA),committed suicide  on Tuesday morning  by jumping out of the window of the three-storey office building in downtown Rangoon. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/2009/u-myint-oo1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Activists in India's Mizoram state hold a sit-in demonstration demanding the release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in neighboring Burma. Photo – Mi Mi/Mizzima. The demonstration, led by the Mizoram Committee for Democracy in Burma - a group consisting of local Mizo activists, was held at Temple Square in Mizoram’s capital city of Aizawl.|}/files/images/2009/mizoram-protest5.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Activists in India's Mizoram state hold a sit-in demonstration demanding the release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in neighboring Burma. Photo – Mi Mi/Mizzima. The demonstration, led by the Mizoram Committee for Democracy in Burma - a group consisting of local Mizo activists, was held at Temple Square in Mizoram’s capital city of Aizawl.|}/files/images/2009/mizoram-protest4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Activists in India's Mizoram state hold a sit-in demonstration demanding the release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in neighboring Burma. Photo – Mi Mi/Mizzima. The demonstration, led by the Mizoram Committee for Democracy in Burma - a group consisting of local Mizo activists, was held at Temple Square in Mizoram’s capital city of Aizawl.|}/files/images/2009/mizoram-protest1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Ethnic Kachins in New Delhi on Thursday, June 25, 2009, hold a protest condemning Burma’s military rulers for pressuring ethnic armed groups to transform into ‘Border Guards'. Photo – Mizzima. The junta has proposed all ethnic armed ceasefire groups in Burma transform their armies into 'Border Guards' under the junta's administration. Several armed Kachin groups, including the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), are included among those being pressured by the junta.|}/files/images/2009/kachin-protests2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Ethnic Kachins in New Delhi on Thursday, June 25, 2009, hold a protest condemning Burma’s military rulers for pressuring ethnic armed groups to transform into ‘Border Guards'. Photo – Mizzima. The junta has proposed all ethnic armed ceasefire groups in Burma transform their armies into 'Border Guards' under the junta's administration. Several armed Kachin groups, including the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), are included among those being pressured by the junta.|}/files/images/2009/kachin-protests1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|A waste bin especially for used syringes in a university toilet demonstrates how normal heroin use is on the campus.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug13.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Once prided as the academic centre of northern Burma’s Kachin State, Myitkyina University has now become notorious for soaring levels of drug addiction among its students|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug12.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Concerned community members have tried to campaign to close down the drug camps but have failed due to lack of action from the authorities.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug11.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|All opium sold in Hpakant is distributed by only two Chinese companies who are also involved in mining.To safeguard their monopoly, these companies distribute opium cut into small pellets with only two distinctive shapes: the “mouse dropping” and the triangular “samosa.”|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug10.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Drug use permeates every level of society in Hpakant.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug09.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Drug dealers pay huge sums to the police and military authorities to keep drug shops like these open throughout the jade mining area.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug08.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|“There is no need for me to be afraid of the police. Right now there are five of us sex workers working around the same drug camp. They are all addicted like me.”|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug07.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Drugs are sold openly without repercussion. Said one local pastor: “It is all done quite openly and it has led to so much stealing and other social problems. But when we try and send criminals to the police, they just get released with no charges.The law-enforcement process is useless.”|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug06.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Although the cheapest fix is only 1,000 kyat, addicts find themselves having to spend more and more on heroin to achieve the desired effect. “I need to inject four times a day, but even then it’s not enough|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug05.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Typical “drug camps” are clusters of makeshift bamboo huts or plastic tents where heroin is sold for injection or inhalation.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug04.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|The majority of the injecting heroin users are the yemase stone foragers who live a hand-to-mouth existence toiling day and night amongst steep mountains of rubble.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug02.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|BThe jade mines of Hpakant in Burma’s northern Kachin State have long been notorious for high rates of drug addiction and HIV infection.|}/files/images/2009/0625-burma-drug01.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burma’s military supremo Senior General Than Shwe, his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family members donated a diamond orb which was placed atop the ancient pagoda. The orb fell on the ground during the collapse.|}/files/images/2009/danout-pagoda4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burma’s military supremo Senior General Than Shwe, his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family members donated a diamond orb which was placed atop the ancient pagoda. The orb fell on the ground during the collapse.|}/files/images/2009/danout-pagoda2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burma’s military supremo Senior General Than Shwe, his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family members donated a diamond orb which was placed atop the ancient pagoda. The orb fell on the ground during the collapse.|}/files/images/2009/danout-pagoda1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Exiled Burmese activists today protest against the Burmese military regime in Dhaka and Cox Bazar and urged to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo: Kyaw Moe- Mizzima|}/files/images/2009/protest-dhaka2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Angry supporters of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday assembled in front of the Burmese embassy in Bangkok and held protest rallies condemning the ruling junta. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/2009/embassy-protest-thailand3.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Indonesian activists on Monday staged protest rallies in front of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta condemning the junta for charging and putting on trial pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo – Mizzima. The international community has condemned the junta for putting Aung San Suu Kyi on trial, with the Foreign Minister of Belgium saying the whole incident was the junta’s ploy to continue detaining her.|}/files/images/2009/embassy-protest-indonesia6.jpg{/rokbox}  {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Indonesian activists on Monday staged protest rallies in front of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta condemning the junta for charging and putting on trial pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo – Mizzima. The international community has condemned the junta for putting Aung San Suu Kyi on trial, with the Foreign Minister of Belgium saying the whole incident was the junta’s ploy to continue detaining her.|}/files/images/2009/embassy-protest-indonesia1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|New Delhi-based Burmese activists on Monday staged a protest rally outside the Burmese embassy. Photo – Mizzima. Though the  Burmese Embassy is located in a restricted area and assembly of people is prohibited, the Burmese activists took a risk given that they are angry over Aung San Suu Kyi’s  trial.|}/files/images/2009/embassy-protest-india11.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|New Delhi-based Burmese activists on Monday staged a protest rally outside the Burmese embassy. Photo – Mizzima. Though the  Burmese Embassy is located in a restricted area and assembly of people is prohibited, the Burmese activists took a risk given that they are angry over Aung San Suu Kyi’s  trial.|}/files/images/2009/embassy-protest-india22.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Fishermen in Laputta township in Irrawaddy division, which was one of the worst hit Township by Cyclone Nargis on May 2, 2008, receives fishing kits. But local residents alleged aid distribution is partisan in nature. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/laputta8.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Fishermen in Laputta township in Irrawaddy division, which was one of the worst hit Township by Cyclone Nargis on May 2, 2008, receives fishing kits. But local residents alleged aid distribution is partisan in nature. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/laputta5.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Fishermen in Laputta township in Irrawaddy division, which was one of the worst hit Township by Cyclone Nargis on May 2, 2008, receives fishing kits. But local residents alleged aid distribution is partisan in nature. Photo - Mizzima.|}/files/images/2009/laputta4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burmese goverment project along the coastal route between Kyaikami and Set Sae village the road driven through rubber plantations. Photo: IMNA|}/files/images/Apr09/New-Road4.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burmese goverment project along the coastal route between Kyaikami and Set Sae village the road driven through rubber plantations. Photo: IMNA|}/files/images/Apr09/New-Road3.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burmese goverment project along the coastal route between Kyaikami and Set Sae village the road driven through rubber plantations. Photo: IMNA|}/files/images/Apr09/New-Road2.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Burmese goverment project along the coastal route between Kyaikami and Set Sae village the road driven through rubber plantations. Photo: IMNA|}/files/images/Apr09/New-Road1.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Villagers of Chuanggyi village carry drinking water in boats. Photo – Mizzima. Despite nearly a year after the deadly Cyclone Nargis struck Burma’s Irrawaddy delta, villagers are still struggling to overcome water shortage.|}/files/images/Apr09/laputta-10.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Villagers of Chuanggyi village carry drinking water in boats. Photo – Mizzima. Despite nearly a year after the deadly Cyclone Nargis struck Burma’s Irrawaddy delta, villagers are still struggling to overcome water shortage.|}/files/images/Apr09/laputta-9.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan11.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan10.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan9.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan8.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan7.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan6.jpg{/rokbox} {rokbox album=|Apr09| title=|Water Festival at the stage hosted by Rangoon’s Mayor in front of Rangoon’s City Hall seen on April 13. Photo – Mizzima|}/files/images/Apr09/ygn-thingyan5.jpg{/rokbox}

BNI Photos March 2009

BNI Photos February 2009