Oct 30, 2007 (DVB), The owner of a rubber plantation in Bago and his workers have been detained and are being questioned after 88 generation student leader Htay Kywe was arrested at the plantation in mid-October.

A resident of Inntakaw township, Bago, where the rubber plantation is located, told DVB that plantation owner Aung Gyi and his workers were arrested by a volunteer police force led by chief Hla Moe Aung, who set up an interrogation camp in the plantation after his group arrested Htay Kywe.

"The plantation owner and his workers were arrested and are now being interrogated by Hla Moe Aung and his group. They are questioning people who live in the area as well," said an Inntakaw resident, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"They demand liquor and livestock from the neighbourhood. They have stolen and sold everything in the plantation as well."

According to unconfirmed sources, Hla Moe Aung was given a 2.5 million kyat reward by Burma police chief Khin Yee for the arrest of Htay Kywe.

He also reportedly received 500,000 kyat each from other divisional police chiefs, and has been suggested for a possible promotion in future.

Htay Kywe, a high-profile leader, had been hiding from the authorities from the end of August until his arrest on 13 October.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw