Security crackdown on Internet shops drives away customers

Tue 09 Feb 2010, IMNA
Web users have abandoned Internet shops in Thanphyuzayart, after increased security crackdowns have heightened patrons’ fears of being affiliated with suspected political dissidence.

Two internet shops in Thanphyuzayart town, in Thanphyuzayart Township, Mon State, have both noticed deceased sales of internet use beginning in January, as Burmese military government forces began arresting community member suspected of political dissidence. Both shops are relatively new, having opened in 2009.

“Now at internet [shops] in Thanphyuzayart, people no longer come to use it,” commented a student who used the Internet shops regularly in Thanphyuzayart. “Before the authority came to arrest the monk, [people] had to wait to use the computer, [now] people coming to use it have really decreased.”

On January 7th, a monk, Ashin Uk Kong Sah, was arrested by police in Kjan Khaing Ye quarter, Thanphyuzayart Town, and was reported to have been carrying a laptop computer, a video camera, and 4 leaflets against the upcoming 2010 election.

Ashin Uk Kong Sah is reported to have been a frequent patron, according to a student who also often used the internet at either of the Thanphyuzayart internet shops.

Inner City Press asked about the arrest, about statements by presidential brother and Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa that “there will be no UN investigation, and about who is handling Sri Lanka for Mr. Ban.

As Sri Lanka Arrests Fonseca, Censors War Crimes and Calls Nambiar, UN Quiet

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 8 — Even after the Rajapaksa administration in Sri Lanka confirmed arresting its top electoral rival Sarath Fonseca, at the UN in New York Secretary General Ban Ki-moon through his spokesman had nothing directly to say about it.

Inner City Press asked about the arrest, about statements by presidential brother and Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa that “there will be no UN investigation, and about who is handling Sri Lanka for Mr. Ban. Video here, from Minute 44:04.

Ban’s spokesman Martin Nesirky said the UN is “aware of news reports” of the arrest but cannot confirm them. Perhaps the government’s confirmation of the arrest didn’t reach the UN.

Nesirky reiterated a previous canned statement, that Ban calls on “all parties and their supporters” to “avoid provocative acts” including in “post electoral stages.”

Inner City Press asked if the arrest of the main opposition candidate, for having spoken publically about war crimes — specifically by the president’s brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa — would constitute a provocative act, in Ban’s view. Video here, from Minute 46:23.

“You’ve heard what I’ve said,” Nesirky responded. He has also said that Ban is considering making appointments to lead to an independent investigation of war crimes in Sri Lanka. continue
http://www.innercitypress.com/lanka1dpaban020810.html