Jan 7, 2008 (DVB), About 7000 people in Arakan state have signed in a petition calling on the government to release two members of the National League for Democracy.
The NLD party in Taunggok township started the petition to campaign for the release of the township’s NLD secretary U Khin Hla and deputy secretary Ko Min Aung, who were arrested after the September 2007 protests.
Ko Moe Naing Soe, a member of the Taunggok NLD communication committee, said that about 7000 local villagers in the Arakan state have so far added their signatures to the petition.
"The petition will be sent to senior general Than Shwe within the next few days," said Ko Moe Naing Soe.
U Khin Hla was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after his sister brought charges against him in November, and is now being held in Sandoway prison.
His sister later tried to withdraw the charges before he was sentenced, but was told by officials that it was too late.
Ko Min Aung, who is also being held in Sandoway prison, was sentenced to nine and a half years' imprisonment for his involvement in the September demonstrations, thought this was later reduced to two and a half years.
Reporting by Aye Nai