Jul 3, 2008 (DVB), The National League for Democracy's Mandalay division Organising Committee member U Aung Soe, 61, died of a heart attack on Tuesday morning.

U Aung Soe was a former political prisoner and used to provide security for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her lakeside compound together with other NLD youth members.

U Myo Naing, another Organising Committee member told DVB that the death of U Aung Soe was not only a loss for the pro-democracy party but also for the democracy movement as a whole, and praised U Aung Soe's loyalty to his party and bravery in carrying out his duties.

U Soe Naing had been constantly involved in politics since 1988. During the 1990 election in Burma, he led campaigns for his party in Mandalay.

In 1996, U Aung Soe was arrested and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for arranging a performance by the famous comedian Par Par Lay of the Moustache Brothers inside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's compound. He was held in Myitkyinar prison in Kachin State from 1996 to 2001.

U Aung Soe was the driver for U Tin Oo, NLD's vice chairperson, when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's entourage was attacked by junta-backed militias in Depayin township, Sagaing Division, in May 2003. He was arrested again in the incident.

U Aung Soe was detained for nine months following his second arrest and continued working for the Mandalay Organising Committee after his release until he passed away.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet