Detained students charged with five sections

"(Students) have assumed that student unions are legal," Police Colonel Win Sein said. "As a matter of fact, these unions have yet to become legal and will be legitimate only after the bill amending the National Education Law has been approved.

"Under section 124 (of the penal code), the police issued announcements to disperse. Action is taken against them as they failed to follow the law. They are charged under five sections -143, 145, 147, 332 and 505 (b)."

Section 143 involves unlawful assembly, section 145 joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, section 147 rioting and section 332 voluntarily causing harm to deter public servants. Section 505 (b) prohibits "publishing or circulating information which may cause public fear or alarm and which may incite persons to commit offences against the State or against the public tranquillity."

The charges stem from a police crackdown Tuesday on the main student protesters’ column in Letpadan, which authorities had been surrounding for more than a week. Apart from arrests, witnesses reported that numerous protesters were beaten by baton-wielding police, some suffering serious injuries. Witnesses say some of those in court were cut and bandaged. International human rights groups have slammed the police crackdown.

The arrests and crackdown, which included on monks and journalists, have sparked further protests.

Those arrested were detained in Thayawaddy jail. Relatives were not told whether their family members would appear in court in Letpadan Township or Thayawaddy Township.

"The government's act is unfair," said Dr Nay Win, father of student leader Phyo Phyo Aung. "Police won't allow me to meet with my daughter. We had to go here and there as the authorities did not say to us exactly where she was. The government does not feel sympathy for us."

There was heavy police presence as the detainees were taken into Letpadan Township. Police and other security members did not allow media or relatives to enter the building. However, supporters gathered outside.

It was reported that student leader Min Thway Thit had been beaten unconscious.

"We want justice," his mother, Khin Khin Yu, said. "I want to ask President Thein Sein how he would feel if his offspring was one of detainees. He should feel sympathy for us."

Aung Hmaing San who was also reportedly beaten and kicked by police in front of the media was among those appearing in court.

Male and female students were transported separately to court and then again back to Thayawaddy jail. As they left court, some of the detained students said they were victims of human rights violations.