President criticised for his response on crackdown

In his interview to BBC last week, he said the police beat student protesters after they were attacked during the crackdown on March 10.

“Even though the crackdown was violent, the police were only beating them back after they were beaten. They were acting in self-defence because they were throwing rocks at them. We did not even fire tear gas, water cannon or use rubber bullets during the crackdown. The EU has come here to give systematic training regarding police procedures. So the police are carrying out their work for the protection and stability of the country. No one has overstepped the international limits,” said Thein Sein.

“I strongly condemn President Thein Sein’s response,” said Yan Myo Thein, a Myanmar political analyst. “His remarks are contradicted by the situation on the ground and the record of events. If his side has strong information, he should allow the students to file their charges in court. Official and independent testimonies are needed from those who were beaten. Also the photo and video records need to be inspected again.” 

A number of 127 people were arrested after the crackdown. Some students said they were beaten even when they were put into police vehicles. Among whom, 28 students and two journalists have been released.

On March 20, police in Mandalay have detained two more students for taking part in the Letpadan protest.

Ye Yint Paing Mu and Shine Min, from Kyaukse Technology and Yadanabon universities in Mandalay, had initially escaped the crackdown in Letpadan.

Protest supporters said they were on the police's wanted list although they had escaped from Letpadan.

Most of them are in Thayawady Prison.

 “My daughter said she was ordered to hold her head down but she refused. That’s why she was beaten with a baton,” said Nay Win, father of Phyo Phyo Aung, a student protester, after his visit to Thayawady Prison. “They didn’t allow the students to keep the mosquito nets we bought them in prison. The students will file a case against the police.” 

On weekend, a coalition of political groups in Mandalay, including some legal experts, participated in a demonstration to denounce the crackdown. 

 “We demand the implementation of the four-party agreement. The government broke its promise that it would not detain students. This is an unlawful act,” said Soe Lin, an executive member of the committee.

Naing Ye Wai, chairperson of Yadanabon Student Union, said: “After chanting good government; clean government, Daw Khin Win was shot to death. Ko Par Gyi too. The crackdown on students had occurred. Stamping on people’s sweat and blood does not make for good and clean government. The students are not asking to run the nation. They demand reform of the National Education Law. Why is the government afraid of reforming it? Is it worried that the people may become educated? The crackdown at Letpadan broke human rights audaciously. We demand the release of more than 100 students and their supporters from Thayawaddy prison.” 

White “we are students” armbands were worn. Meanwhile, the freelance journalists’ union marched in solidarity at Bogyoke Aung San Centennial Committee Office, wearing black brooches and armbands, to defend the rights of media representatives who have been detained.

Thein Than Oo, high court lawyer and legal adviser to the education committee, said: “We demonstrate against the unlawful crackdown. They shouldn’t beat students who would not resist arrest. Students were beaten inside squad cars. They were attacked after they had fallen to the ground. We really can’t do nothing while this happens.”