Former student activists decline to join crackdown investigation

Former student activists decline to join crackdown investigation

Published on Tuesday, 04 December 2012 17:55

Members of the 88 Generation Students Group said they would not join the investigation about a forcible crackdown on the protest against Lapadaungtaung project in Monywa in central Myanmar.

They declined the investigation commission membership at a press conference held at their office in Yangon yesterday, saying that it is already enough for the commission to have Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's opposition leader, as chairperson.

"We hope that under her skillful chairmanship, she will be able to solve the problem in the best and most peaceful way. So, it is enough and we don't need to join the commission," said Min Ko Naing, the group leader.

Despite not joining the commission, they would gather information for the investigation, the group said. New information has been collected from the local villagers during their trip to Monywa. It is important for the commission to receive fair and correct information and they will fully support it, they added.

"Shouldering national duties doesn't mean to be in the parliament or joining the commission. We have a lot of things to do.

We may have difficulties as commission members if it has series of meetings and coordination. The important thing is to have correct data," Min Ko Naing said.

President Thein Sein has directed the formation of the investigation commission with Aung San Suu Kyi as chairperson and Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi as members.

Aung San Suu Kyi and President's Office Minister Aung Min met with the group after they turned down the offer. In the meeting, the minister showed his understanding for their decision, according to 88 Generation Students Group.

The group yesterday issued another statement on the forcible breakup of protest camps in the copper mine project area.

In the statement, they urged authorities to apologise in serious manner to the injured Buddhist monks and laypersons and arrange medical treatment for them. They also called for the release of detainees and a suspension of the project while the case is under investigation.

About 100 Buddhist monks and civilians were injured after riot police forcibly broke up the protest camps in Lapadaungtaung copper mine on November 29.

The project is a joint venture between a Chinese firm and a company controlled by Myanmar's military.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2012/12/05/former-student-activists-decline-to-join-crackdown-investigation/