Overseas Mon call for the release of arrested Mon monk

Kaowao
February 1, 2010

The overseas Mon coordinating body has called for the release of a Mon Buddhist monk from a Burmese military interrogation center in Yangon. Rev. Ajjae was arrested on January 7, 2010 in Thanbyuzayat town, Mon State, and accused of organizing an anti-election campaign. Following his arrest he was reportedly to have been tortured in a detention centre in Yangon.

The Overseas Mon Coordinating Committee (OMCC) issued a statement on January 27 condemning the Burmese military regime for disrobing and torturing the Mon monk.

A relative of the monk’s said to Kaowao that his family fears for his life after the Burmese authorities refused to inform the family on Nai Ajjae’s condition and his whereabouts.

The OMCC statement said: “The arrest is just the Burmese government’s tactic to intimidate, suppress, and clampdown on those who oppose the military regime’s sponsored election to be held later this year.”

The pro-military regime’s political parties and organizations are allowed to gather and campaign for the election, while the opposition parties and those who oppose the 2008 constitution and the subsequent election have been subjected to intimidation, suppression, and harassment.”

Nai Ajjae, 28, was on the way to the funeral service of Krein Kreik in Zopbu (Thanbyuzayat) Township, Mon State, when he was arrested by the military’s security intelligence and taken to their office along with his computer and camera for questioning.

Another young man, Kyaik Soi from Mutdon Village of Chaung Zon Township in Biluu Kyun, was also arrested by the local police on January 11, 2010 who had relations with the monk.

A Buddhist monk who fled to the border said some monks and youths were in hiding fearing that they will be arrested after the military intelligence searched Nai Ajjae’s temple in Mudon Township. The Burmese intelligence has a list of youths who had relations with Rev. Ajjae and tries to identify people's photos taken by Ajjjae when he attended the Mon literature and culture activities in the past. “That’s how the SPDC finds us, then they try to ban all cultural events which are not even related to politics. Most of the time, we are just organizing our social activities on religion and culture,” he added.

In the statement, the OMCC demanded that Rev. Ajjae be immediately released and that the military regime allow the opposition groups to plan and organize for the 2010 election campaign. The OMCC also urges the international community to pressure the military government to allow full representation of all political parties sponsored for the election in 2010. The OMCC is comprised of the Monland Restoration Council (USA), Mon Canadian Society, Australia Mon Association, and Euro Mon Community