Imprisoned students’ leader of Burma in declining health

Thursday, March 5, 2009(DVB) –

The sister of 88 generation students' leader, Min Ko Naing, who is currently imprisoned in Kengtung jail in eastern Burma, has said he has been suffering from poor health due to lack of exercise.

"I am mainly concerned that he might have a stroke due to the high blood pressure,” Kyi Kyi Nyunt said.

She said he has been suffering from immobility in his hands and high blood pressure.

“I left with him some medicines. It would better if there is a regular doctor at the prison.”

Kyi Kyin Nyunt was allowed only 20 minutes to talk with her brother, having travelled hundreds of miles from Rangoon to reach Kengtung in eastern Burma.

She also said the prison authorities also revoked a permission previously granted to him to receive books and magazines from the outside.

“We previously made a deal with a local bookshop to send him books and magazines regularly but lately the prison authorities have laid probation on that too.”

"If possible I want the authorities to allow family members coming from afar, at least for two days – forty minutes for each time,” she said.

“The time was up before we could tell each other about ourselves."

Meanwhile, the wife of Mandalay NLD member Shwe Maung, who is currently imprisoned in Pyapon jail, says that he has been suffering gastric diseases.

"I gave him some medicines, but we are living in constant fear for his health,” Than Than Win said. “When he was in Insein jail, I was able to see him once a month. Now I can't even do it one in two months."

During her last trip, she had to travel to Pyapon with her 18-month old daughter by bus and boat, she added.

"I lost the food basket I brought for him. We vomited all the way. We are in big trouble for sending him to somewhere faraway."

Htay Htay Win, the mother of All Burma Federation Students Unions’ member, De Nyein Lin, also said she finds it hard to see her son at Khamdee jail in the northern tip of Burma once every two months due to financial difficulties.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw