Sep 27, 2008 (DVB), Nine members of the National League for Democracy were arrested today at a ceremony to mark the party's 20th anniversary, according to NLD information committee member Dr Win Naing.

Ma Htet Htet Oo Wai and Daw Shan Ma from Shwepyitha township were among those arrested, along with six unnamed youth members and a middle-aged woman.

Six people were arrested before the ceremony at a bus stop near the Yazana hotel adjacent to the NLD headquarters as soon as they got off the bus, while three others were detained after the event.

Around 500 people attended the event, which began at 12 noon.

Some youth and women members wearing yellow shirts lined up in front of the NLD headquarter to commemorate the monk-led demonstrations that were brutally crushed a year ago.

Newly-released political prisoners U Win Tin and U Khin Maung Swe were reinstated in their previous positions, while Dr Thein Nyein was re-appointed deputy chair of Rangoon division NLD.

U Win Tin gave a speech at the ceremony demanding the release of all political prisoners, claiming that those who had been released felt ashamed that others were still not free, and called for unity among political groups.

There has been heavy security on Shwegondaing road and around the NLD headquarters, with soldiers, police and Swan Arr Shin members standing by on trucks.

Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw