Day: October 18, 2011

NDAA and UWSA deny involvement in Mekong incident

On By Burma Myanmar newsIn BurmaLeave a comment
TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2011 17:09 STEPHEN PERRAUD / HSENG KHIO FAH
Hoping to end current speculation over possible involvement in the 5 Oct. incident on the Mekong River that led to the discovery of 12 deaths and the seizure of 920,000 yaba (methamphetamine) pills on two Chinese cargo ships, Mongla NDAA official Sao Hseng La adamantly denied any connection between his organization and both the murders of the crew and drug trafficking discovered Tuesday. An anonymous official with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) also denied any involvement in the incident.

The 12 bodies of ship crew members were discovered after a shootout on the river between hijackers and Thai authorities. The crew members had been blindfolded, had their hands tied behind their back, and were either shot or had slit throats. Details have yet to emerge about the characteristic markings of the drugs seized on board. The estimated street value (in Tachilek) of the pills seized is Baht 46 million ($ 1.5 million).

Signature markings are often imprinted upon yaba pills, indicating specific regions or organizations of origin. One known marking is the “WY” imprint often associated with the production of yaba by UWSA related manufacturers.

Yaba with UWSA related origins has also been identified as hard in consistency, high in quality, and having a distinct smell. However, imitations of the “WY” imprints have also been noted, as other manufacturers have hoped to pass off their inferior product as the UWSA’s. Continue reading “NDAA and UWSA deny involvement in Mekong incident” →

Min Ko Naing’s 49 birthday ceremony -videos Burma VJ Media

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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with Zarganar at Ko Min Ko Naing’s Birthday Event at a monastery in Rangoon.

“Dear Mr. President, release him as a birthday gift,” famous Burmese comedian Zarganar told an event to mark the 49th birthday of jailed democracy activist Min Ko Naing—meaning Conqueror of Kings.

As one of the jailed 88 Generation Students’ leaders, Min Ko Naing (real name Paw Oo Tun) is currently serving a 65-year sentence in Keng Tung Prison—a remote jail in Shan State—while family members and supporters celebrated his birth on Tuesday at a monastery in Mayangon Township, Rangoon.

Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi also attended the event and made a speech in support of Min Ko Naing. The Nobel Peace Laureate said those that strive towards achieving others’ freedom should think about themselves first, feel free and work for others.

“It is very important to practice living a life with ‘freedom from fear.’ If they can practice it, they can experience freedom even they stay behind bars. If not, they will never taste real freedom even if they are not in prison,” said Suu Kyi. “It shouldn’t happen that people who are not in prison still remain behind bars.”

Min Ko Naing, a former zoology student from Rangoon Arts and Science University, started getting involved in politics through the traditional Than Gyat competition. Held during the annual water festival, these performances have sketched and satirized the government since 1985 with Min Ko Naing’s “goat mouth and spirit eye” act remaining famous. Continue reading “Min Ko Naing’s 49 birthday ceremony -videos Burma VJ Media” →