At least 12 Buddhist monks have been arrested and three others sustained injuries after riot police violently broke up a protest in Mandalay in support of the call of National League for Democracy (NLD) to convene a "People’s Parliament."

Some 200 Buddhist monks from three monasteries in the city staged a rally on 4 September, with about 50 students participating. The monks and students shouted anti-military slogans and distributed leaflets supporting the NLD’s call to convene parliament.

Riot police used force to break up the protest and as a result three monks sustained injuries and at least 12 others were arrested. The monks who participated in the protest were from the Phaya-Gyi Kyaung-tite, Mya Daung and Wisok Dayone Kyaung-tite monasteries.

On the same day, smaller demonstrations were also staged in nearby cities in central Burma including Monywer, Sagaing, Myangyan and Pakkoku. There were no reports of riot police breaking up those protests.

Chairman of the All Burma Young Monks Union (ABYMU) Shin Kemersara said that monks have been targeted by the authorities because of their historically important role in social and political change.

"Buddhists monks have suffered a lot under the military regime. Despite their status, they have suffered extra-judicial killings, torture, forced labour under brutal conditions and been used as porters for the army in frontline military operations."

Monks played a major role in organising the August 1988 pro-democracy movement and in maintaining law and order up prior to the military coup when the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) seized power.

Meanwhile, authorities in Mandalay Division have been instructed to arrest anyone wearing T-shirts with a picture of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, or anyone in possession of her picture. This order comes amid increasing public displays of support for the NLD in Mandalay.

(Source: All Burma Students’ Democratic Front, 8 September 1998.)