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 CRPP/NLD
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Representatives
of the People elected to the Parliament in the 1990
multiparty democratic elections
(Committee Representing People's Parliament)
Notification
No 19/1999
1. In the 1990 Multiparty General Elections, the undermentioned two National
League for Democracy candidates were overwhelmingly voted in by their
respective constituents in Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay Division:-
U Bo Zan- Constituency 1, received 35320 indisputable votes (70.87%)
U Ngwe Htoon- Constituency 2, received 35735 indisputable votes (68.44%)
2. Without any legal authority and in contravention of the provisions
stipulated in the Political Parties Registration Law and the People's
Parliament Elections Law, certain groups in authority orchestrated a demonstration
on the 15 February 1999, misusing the people to shout slogans of non-confidence
against these two legally elected People's Parliament representatives.
Despite condemnation of such reprehensible conduct prior to the event
and request that the said activities be suspended the authorities with
impure motives carried out the demonstration using every illegal device.
3. In connection with this illegal, unjust and coercive activity we publish
the contents of a letter dated 18 February 1999 addressed to the National
League for Democracy from " a representative of the people who are
awaiting the return of the rule of law".
START
" Sir, this is for your information. I am a resident of Myauktaw
village, Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay Division. I will relate to you
the events of 15 February 1999. At about twelve noon on 15.2.99, Headman
U Aung Myint announced (using a microphone) that every resident, 18 years
and above, must attend the meeting to express the people's wishes (denouncing
the NLD). Failure to do so was at one's own risk. The same evening at
6:00 p.m, Maung Khin Maung Htay , organiser of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA) made a similar announcement. At 6:00 am
on 16.2.99, Maung Shwe Thein (EC member of USDA) with a loud speaker,
made the announcement that the meeting to denounce the NLD would be held
at 8:00 a.m and every eighteen year old and above was expected to attend
without fail. They would suffer the consequences if they failed to attend
(Note:- the said meeting was to be held at Taungbaw village about one
mile south from our village).
This was how the meeting was called and held. Kyats fifty was the penalty
imposed for those who failed to attend. Aung Myint, chairman of the village
SPDC announced on the microphone that immediate payment of the penalty
had to be made. About one hundred and fifty failed to attend. The announcement
was repeated three times. About one hundred and fifteen responded and
made payment. There were about thirty five who delayed. Ya Nyunt, police
in charge of the outpost and a constable went to the houses of those who
had not paid and in Japanese-era-style kicked in the closed doors and
demanded payment. They were ordered to immediately attend at the house
of the headman. The headman's house where these villagers were sitting
huddles together, Ya Nyunt demanded an explanation from them for their
failure to attend the meeting. He said that they would have to be associated
with the NLD and would have to be sent to the Police Station. The headman
Aung Myint told them that he had been reprimanded by the Township Officer
and insulted because the attendance was very small. He said that because
of this, he was going to have them arrested. These were the many ways
and devices used to threaten and harass them. Orders were then given to
Ya Nyunt and one constable to dispatch those 35 who had not paid the fine
to the Popa Police Station. Then they were allowed to disperse. On 17.2.99
they were again summoned to attend at the house of the headman Aung Myint
and threatened. It was about 9:00 a.m. they were told that they would
have to go to Popa at their own expense. By 11:30 they were still unable
to arrange for payment of the penalty so they had to walk to Popa (the
distance from Myauktaw village to Popa is about three miles). Of the thirty
five persons., only twenty five of them went. The other ten were exempted
by the headman, some of whom were (1) U Thein Aung, (village SPDC member)
(2) Maung Win, (U Thein Aung's son-in-law, (3) U Tin Hlaing, Daw Kyi Hlaing
and others. Those who walked to Popa were the impoverished, widows, parents
of young children and petty traders.
A grandmother Daw Mai 9age 65) was one amongst those who had to walk to
Popa. Due to under-nourishment, a weak physical condition and fear of
imprisonment, she fainted on the way. Maung Saw Htay, Daw San Kyi, Daw
Kyi Shin and Daw Thay Khin helped to revive her. Daw Tin Kyi, a widow
was very distressed and kept calling out that because her husband was
no longer with her she was suffering such a plight. She had hysterical
fits three times and could not stop weeping and crying out. (This happened
at Popa-lwin village). Finally on arrival at Popa at 3:00 in the evening,
they were not placed in the lock-up at the police station but had to remain
in the compound of the police station hungering and thirsting. Aung Myint,
the village SPDC chairman had remained behind in the village but Ya Nyunt
the policeman was in Popa. Then, the chief clerk at the police station
gave instructions that all would be sent back but first the headman had
to be sent for. The headman would not travel on foot, so a 3 ton truck
owned by U Thoung Myint had to be hired at a cost of Kyats 2600 for a
two way journey. Besides demanding fifty Kyats per head, an additional
sum of kyats two hundred was collected from 29 persons by U Pwe and deposited
in the hands of the chairman. That money belongs to the impoverished and
widows. To get that money they pursued and employed all these devices
and are dealing with the people in this manner.
In making this report I ask how can we, the poor and impoverished, continue
with this kind of existence."
END
4. The authorities are operating in an illegal and abominable way against
the people. The expression "peoples' wishes" is being misconstrued.
The word 'wish' connotes a personal desire without intervention or force
from another. The authorities are blatantly forcing, intimidating, penalising
and persecuting the people to behave against their own personal desires
and wishes. What a tragic situation!
5. The above activities of the authorities is strongly and emphatically
deplored by us.
Committee Representing People's Parliament
Rangoon 7 April 1999
(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for
Democracy.)
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