FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Buddhist monk laid to rest in exile on Thai-Burma border
A funeral for Buddhist monk and interfaith leader Myawaddy Sayadaw, 71, was held in Mae Sot, Thailand on Oct. 31. The Spring Revolution Sangha Network expressed its sadness, stating that it is “a huge and irreplaceable loss for the country, the Spring Revolution and the religion.” Myawaddy Mingyi Sayadaw was a critic of what he called “the evil system of the military dictatorship” in Burma and its affiliated religious leaders.
Regime revokes the publication license of The Irrawaddy
The junta’s Ministry of Information announced that it had officially revoked the publication license of The Irrawaddy. It accused the independent media outlet of damaging state security, rule of law and public tranquility for its news coverage. This follows charges of violating the Telecommunications and News laws, along with BBC Burmese, for its reporting on junta forces opening fire and killing three visitors to Mon State’s Golden Rock Pagoda. The Irrawaddy is the only media outlet charged after last year’s coup with violating Section 505 (a) of the penal code.
Junta threatens to prosecute anyone helping Hpakant airstrike victims
The junta threatened to prosecute anyone providing medical treatment to the injured at A Nang Pa under the Unlawful Associations Act. Junta airstrikes on Oct. 23 killed 62 and injured 60 gathered to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). “The day after the airstrike, the entrance and exit of Hpakant town were blocked off since the morning. Rescue teams cannot go to help them or send emergency medicine. People who were seriously injured bled to death,” a local told DVB. Residents said that the Burma Army is still blocking access to A Nang Pa, Hpakant Township, Kachin State.
News by Region
KACHIN—One person was killed in an explosion at a general administration office in Myitkyina on Oct. 30. “The sound of the blast was very loud. One person died. He is around 30 years old. It is not known whether he was a civil servant,” a local told DVB. The roof of the office building is said to have been damaged in the blast. No group has yet claimed to respond to the attack.
MAGWAY—Around 40 houses in Saithay village of Yesagyo Township were on Oct. 29, locals said. Another arson attack was reported in the nearby Thanpyachaung village. “Smoke and flames can be seen from a distance. We need to enter the village to put out the fire after they [the Burma Army] leave the village,” a villager told DVB. More than 1,500 residents from the villages have fled.
YANGON—Ten members of the Inya Urban Force (IUF) were arrested last month in different townships, according to junta media. Three women are among the 10 arrested. The IUF confirmed the arrests on Oct. 31. Its leader is reported to have evaded capture.
Around 30 workers from Myanmar Pou Chen factory were fired after they led a protest demanding a pay raise. The workers demanded a wage increase of K8,000 ($3.81 USD) per day from K4,800 ($2.28 USD) per day. “As far as we know, 27 workers have been fired. We do not acknowledge their dismissal since we acted according to the law,” a worker said. The factory management claims that the workers violated the employment contract (EC) and were fired without compensation as a result. The dismissed workers said they will continue to pursue legal methods to dispute the factory’s “unilateral dismissals.” It is said that the factory, located in Yangon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township, mainly manufactures Adidas shoes.
