Burmese authorities are keeping a close watch on relatives and friends of wanted pro-democracy activists in hiding, in the apparent hope that they will unwittingly disclose their whereabouts.
One of the hunted activists, Nilar Thein, told The Irrawaddy on Sunday that even her four month-old baby is under observation. Nilar Thein’s baby daughter is being cared for by her mother-in-law.
“They (the authorities) think that if the baby is moved, I can be found there,” Nilar Thein said.
Family and friends of the young activist, who has served 10 years in prison because of her opposition to the regime, said an unconfirmed report that her arrested husband, Kyaw Min Yu, had died in detention could also be a ploy to draw her out of hiding.
Kyaw Min Yu, who is popularly known as Jimmy, was arrested with other leading members of the 88 Generation Students, including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, on August 21 after demonstrating against a sharp rise in fuel and commodity prices.
Another member of the 88 Generation Students group now in hiding, Htun Myint Aung, said the authorities were also shadowing his 75-year-old mother in the apparent hope she could lead them to him.
Htun Myint Aung told The Irrawaddy by phone from his hiding place on Monday: “The authorities are following any one from my home when they go outside, including my 75- year-old mother when she goes to the clinic. She’s in poor health and the authorities believe I’ll appear if anything happens to her.”
The authorities had searched his house four times and the home of his two older sisters. They had also asked his mother to disclose the addresses of other relatives and friends.
A close friend of Kyaw Min Yu, who requested anonymity, said authorities had called at his home and checked the guest list to make sure he wasn’t hiding any of the wanted activists.
The intimidated families had the solid support of the people, including some members of the local police, Htun Myint Aung said.
“People who do not know us allow us to stay in their homes and feed us. It’s amazing and we’re very grateful. But we have to think about their security.”
More than 100 activists have been arrested in the wave of protests against the price increases, and several protesters have gone into hiding. Apart from Nilar Thein, Kyaw Min Yu and Htun Myint Aung, the fugitives include Mi Mi and Htay Kywe, of the 88 Generation Students group, and Phyu Phyu Thin and Su Su Nway, of the National League for Democracy youth movement.
State-run The New Light of Myanmar claimed on Sunday that an unnamed foreign embassy was helping Htay Kywe evade arrest, but Htun Myint Aung denied the report. He said Htay Kywe was in hiding like the others. None planned to request political asylum, he said.
Meanwhile, the town of Pegu about 80 km (50 miles) north of Rangoon was reported on Monday to have been sealed off. A resident said anyone suspected of having opposition sympathies was being ordered to stay in the town. People from out of town were being told to stay away, the resident said.
One of the hunted activists, Nilar Thein, told The Irrawaddy on Sunday that even her four month-old baby is under observation. Nilar Thein’s baby daughter is being cared for by her mother-in-law.
“They (the authorities) think that if the baby is moved, I can be found there,” Nilar Thein said.
Family and friends of the young activist, who has served 10 years in prison because of her opposition to the regime, said an unconfirmed report that her arrested husband, Kyaw Min Yu, had died in detention could also be a ploy to draw her out of hiding.
Kyaw Min Yu, who is popularly known as Jimmy, was arrested with other leading members of the 88 Generation Students, including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, on August 21 after demonstrating against a sharp rise in fuel and commodity prices.
Another member of the 88 Generation Students group now in hiding, Htun Myint Aung, said the authorities were also shadowing his 75-year-old mother in the apparent hope she could lead them to him.
Htun Myint Aung told The Irrawaddy by phone from his hiding place on Monday: “The authorities are following any one from my home when they go outside, including my 75- year-old mother when she goes to the clinic. She’s in poor health and the authorities believe I’ll appear if anything happens to her.”
The authorities had searched his house four times and the home of his two older sisters. They had also asked his mother to disclose the addresses of other relatives and friends.
A close friend of Kyaw Min Yu, who requested anonymity, said authorities had called at his home and checked the guest list to make sure he wasn’t hiding any of the wanted activists.
The intimidated families had the solid support of the people, including some members of the local police, Htun Myint Aung said.
“People who do not know us allow us to stay in their homes and feed us. It’s amazing and we’re very grateful. But we have to think about their security.”
More than 100 activists have been arrested in the wave of protests against the price increases, and several protesters have gone into hiding. Apart from Nilar Thein, Kyaw Min Yu and Htun Myint Aung, the fugitives include Mi Mi and Htay Kywe, of the 88 Generation Students group, and Phyu Phyu Thin and Su Su Nway, of the National League for Democracy youth movement.
State-run The New Light of Myanmar claimed on Sunday that an unnamed foreign embassy was helping Htay Kywe evade arrest, but Htun Myint Aung denied the report. He said Htay Kywe was in hiding like the others. None planned to request political asylum, he said.
Meanwhile, the town of Pegu about 80 km (50 miles) north of Rangoon was reported on Monday to have been sealed off. A resident said anyone suspected of having opposition sympathies was being ordered to stay in the town. People from out of town were being told to stay away, the resident said.
