Jan 4, 2008 (DVB), Six members of the National League for Democracy in Pwint Phyu township, Magwe division, were detained on 2 January, reportedly to stop them attending independence day celebrations in a nearby township.

People's parliament representative Dr Aung Moe Nyo was among those detained, along with Nyaungbin Sat villager Htay Myint, private tutor Sein Win, Than Htun, U Ko Oo and Saku township resident Nay Myo Kyaw.

They were due to attend celebrations today to mark the 60th anniversary of Burmese independence in Yay Nan Chaung township, also in Magwe division, to be held at township NLD chairman U Khin Win's house.

NLD members from the two townships have previously held joint celebrations.

According to Aung Moe Nyo's brother, about 20 police officers, including the township police chief, detained the six at a house in Nyaungbin Sat village at around midnight on 2 January.

Aung Moe Nyo's brother went to Pwint Phyu township police station, where they are now being held, on 3 January to find out the reason for the detentions, and was told it was to prevent them going to the independence day event.

"The police said they were worried these NLD members were going to the independence day celebration in Yay Nan Chaung, and said they were only detaining them for a short time due to an order given by divisional authorities," Aung Moe Nyo's brother said.

NLD chairman U Khin Win, who was to host the event, and two of his coworkers are also being questioned by authorities today.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw