Oct 2, 2007 (DVB), Monks currently detained at the government technical college compound in Insein township may be sent to a hard labour prison camp, according to a source at the college compound.

Around 1,900 people, including monks, nuns, students and civilians, have been detained in the college compound as part of the government crackdown on recent mass demonstrations.

Among those detained are young monks aged between 16 and 18, and novices as young as 5 to 10 years old. Nuns are also being held at the compound, along with 140 other women. All monks and nuns have been disrobed and made to wear civilian clothes.

According to a Swan Arr Shin member placed inside the compound, authorities are planning to send the detained monks to a hard labour prison camp in Sagaing township.

The compound is being guarded by troops from battalion 77, who took part in the crackdowns. Swan Arr Shin members are also being paid 3,000 Kyat a day (about USD 2) to keep a close watch on the detainees inside the compound.

Reporting by Aye Nai