Monday, October 08, 2007

Three Myanmar nationals held for illegally entering country

By : A Staff Reporter 10/8/2007 2:47:39 AM

IMPHAL, Oct 7: Following the detention of three Burmese nationals for illegally entering Indian territory apparently to escape the military crackdown in Myanmar, the checking and frisking of vehicles along the Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway-39 has been intensified, sources said Sunday.

Meanwhile, Burma Solidarity, an open platform of concerned people, activists, academicians, NGOs, students, teachers, politicians, civil liberties organizations and individuals across South Asia, organized a “Candle Light Vigil” Sunday evening at India Gate in New Delhi.

Even as the three nationals were detained for not possessing any valid documents like passports etc., sources observed that they may have left their country in the wake of military crackdowns in Myanmar which began September 27, for taking asylum in India.

However, whether the three were pro-democracy activists or simply citizens of the country fleeing the country for the fear of military wrath or labourers could not be immediately confirmed as officials were not ready to give any comments.

The three Burmese nationals were detained by the troops of 24 Assam Rifles at Khudenthabi along the Indo-Myanmar road in the afternoon of October 2 during a frisking and checking of vehicles proceeding to Imphal, originating from Moreh, and handed over to the Imphal police station.

The Imphal police registered a case under section 14 of the Foreigners Act and later transferred them to the Moreh police station as the place of occurrence was located within the Moreh police station jurisdiction. They are still in police custody after remand.

Contact with the Moreh police station which is handling the case could not be established as the telephone lines are defunct since long.

All the three were from Rangoon (Yangon) the epicenter of the military crackdown. Among them Habibulde, 24, son of late Hasein and Rashid, 27, son of Harif are from 16 Yunaung street, Thingangyun, Rangoon and Haroon, 24, son of Haron hails from 219 Abubaca street, Thingangyun, Rangoon.

Mention may be made that thousands of people, mostly pro-democracy activists, are fleeing the country to the neighbouring countries since the military crackdown in which several people, mostly monks and pro-democracy activists, have been killed.

The checking and frisking of vehicles originating from the international border town of Moreh has been intensified since the arrest of the three Burmese nationals.

Another source also said that Moreh and the international border with Myanmar was one of the major escape routes for the pro-democracy activists who are struggling for restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

Manipur has a 398 kilometers long porous border with Myanmar. The Assam Rifles, Manipur Rifles and state police guard the border in Chandel district.

The Assam Rifles guard most parts of the long porous border with Myanmar in Chandel district and they have already started taking up measures to face any contingency in the wake of the Myanmar crisis.

The general officer commanding, GOC, 3 Corps lieutenant general MS Dadwal along with IG, Assam Rifles (South), Major General Chengapa and senior army officials had also visited Moreh town and Assam Rifles posts in the area last Friday and reviewed the internal security scenario in the wake of military crackdowns in Myanmar. They also inspected troops deployed in forward areas at the international border town.

Meanwhile, an open platform of concerned people, activists, academicians, NGOs, students, teachers, politicians, civil liberties organizations and individuals across South Asia today took part in the “Candle Light Vigil” organized by Burma Solidarity at India Gate in New Delhi.

The Candle Light Vigil was a part of world wide protests in response to the current military crackdown in Burma against peaceful demonstrations by civilians and Buddhist monks, a report received here said.

Burma Solidarity is demanding a stop to the repression of the people and monks, who have led the protests since it began in mid August 2007 against price hikes of fuel and essential commodities, he added.

The protests have since then taken on a momentum for restoration of democracy in the country and the

release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar has witnessed a brutal and repressive regime since 1962 when the military took over after a coup.

“In the light of this apathetical situation, we urge all the democratic forces and civil society in general and activists, students, academicians, professionals, journalists, politicians, and individuals in particular, to come together to not only show their support to the people in Burma and their struggle for democracy but also to demand from the Government of India that it stops abetting violence in its neighborhood and stop trading weapons for ‘bloodstained’ oil and gas,” a statement from the Burma Solidarity said.

“Burma has witnessed a brutal and repressive regime for last 45 years and Burma is now burning again! There is enough evidence for the brutal killing of hundreds of protestors, monks and civilian (including international journalists like Kenji Nagai from Japan who was shot dead) and the paralyzing of food supplies and day-to-day life in Burma by the military junta. It is shameful and unacceptable that the official India is not taking a stand on what is a clear and terrifying repression of legitimate, non-violent and democratic protestors,” the statement added.


Imphal Free Press

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