Dec 3, 2008 (DVB), Monk leader U Gambira and five other political detainees were transferred to remote prisons away from their family members on Monday, according to their relatives.

U Gambira was transferred to Sagaing Division’s Khamti prison while his brother Aung Kyaw Kyaw was sent to Shan State’s Taunggyi jail.

Mandalay native Wunna Aung was sent to Bago jail, Thiha Thet Zin and Thein Zaw of Bogalay were sent to Myitkyina in Kachin State and Keng Tun in eastern Shan State respectively, and Tun Tun Oo (also known as Ngar Kalar) was transferred to Taunggoo prison in Bago.

On 29 November, Zomi National Congress party chairman Pu Cing Sian Thang’s son Gatlamkhop (also known as Ko) and nephew Gatlankhwa (also known as Anthony) were transferred to to Myaungmya jail and Bassein jail respectively, while Arakan youth Tin Htoo Aung was sent to Sagaing Division’s Khamti jail,

When they have finished transferring activists sentenced in connection with last September's Saffron Revolution, the authorities are reportedly planning to transfer those sentenced after giving assistance to Cyclone Nargis victims.

Pu Cin Sian Thang said the three youths were imprisoned because they were suspected of involvement in the monks' uprising.

"They are very young. The sentences are as long as their age," Pu Cin Sian Thang said.

"I didn’t know when or where they were transferred. We only learnt about the transfers when we went to the prison," he said.

"I wonder if I will be still alive when they are released."

Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew