During a demonstration in Hakha, security forces arrested twenty-three people, including a journalist, after using water cannons and tear gas on the peaceful protest in the Chin State capital on March 1.
According to locals, police attempted to arrest protesters who were hiding inside a private residence and confiscated people’s motorcycles.
“The military government must stop using violence against peaceful protesters,” said Salai Sang Hnin Lian, from Chin Human Rights Organization (CHO). “They have abused their power.”
After the arrests, CHO sent detainees blankets and food.
The following day police released nineteen people.
According to a man who requested anonymity, police kept two government servants, a non-governmental organization worker and a shop owner.
On February 27, during a protest in the state capital, police arrested three people, including the chief editor of Hakha Times.
Everyone was freed the following day.
On the same day, in the town of Falam, located in the township of the same name, police arrested 3 protesters after tear-gassing the peaceful demonstration.
Before the arrests, Christian pastors negotiated with security forces for permission to continue the protest at another location. However, police attacked the demonstrators as they were arriving.
Those arrested are charged with 505/a, which is a new amendment to Burma’s penal code by the military regime. It punishes violators for comments against the coup or military government or those causing “fear”, “false news, (or) agitates directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a Government employee.” Convictions carry prison sentences of up to three years.
Detainees attended their first court hearing on March 1, after being moved to a police cell from a military camp where they were being held. Due to the seriousness of the charges, they haven’t been granted bail.
Ko Nge Pee, the editor of Falam based Chinland Herald News Agency, told Khonumthung News, they are hiring a lawyer to defend them.