69 protesters charged with rioting, 11 released
A Myanmar court laid charges, including rioting, on Wednesday against 69 students involved in the protest two weeks ago, while eleven pro-student civilians detained in Thayawaddy jail were released by Letpadan Township court on bail.
Bail is set at Ks 1 million. They also need two guarantors for each. The 11 people, six males and five females, still have to face prosecution under Sections 143, 145 and 147, said lawyer Robert San Aung.
Ei Po, a student activist, said the court also issued arrest warrants for four leaders of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABSFU).
"The government is scared of the students so they intentionally suppress students from the ABSFU," Ei Po, who is a member of the organisation, told Reuters. She had been arrested March 10 but was released two days later.
Students were at the forefront of resistance to Myanmar's former military regime and led protests in 1988, which sparked a pro-democracy movement that spread throughout the country before being brutally suppressed by the ruling generals.
Among those released on bail were Ma Myat Lay Nge from South Okkalapa Township from Yangon Region.
“While in jail, I learnt that the police’s brutal crackdown on students was denounced by people from all walks of life and international community. The country’s political situation is said to be moving backward, as I read from newspapers,” said Ma Myat Lay Nge.
Ko Zaw Latt from Zeegone Township of Bago Region said: “I think the current education system would not bring about a better future for the next generation. I joined it as the current education system needs amending. Previously, the police charged us with five sections. But we are released on bail after two charges were dropped.”
During the crackdown in Letpadan on March 10, witnesses said police beat protesters with wooden batons. The crackdown followed the authorities’ attempt to block the students from marching to the commercial capital of Yangon to protest against an education bill they said would stifle academic freedom.
A campaign was launched this week in downtown Shwebo, Sagaing Region. Participants wore white armbands and denounced the violent crackdown.
Min Thu Naing, the leader of the campaign, said: “We conducted the movement against the Letpadan crackdown near the Shwebo Myo Ma Market and the university. We did not apply for the permission since campaigning is a citizen's right. The authorities took photos of us campaigning.”
A participant said that it was unreasonable to detain students. Many said false information from the government sparked demonstrations against the crackdown nationwide.
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