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Immediate release of Suu Kyi demanded

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JUNE 18. Even as the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi continues to be in "protective custody'' of the Myanmar military regime in an unknown location, the All Burmese Democratic Forces in India today demanded her immediate release as also a more active role by India towards her troubled neighbour.

Attended by several Indian political party leaders and social activists, the "Solidarity Meet for Noble Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi'' -- organised on the eve of her 58th birthday -- also saw Indian leaders extending their assurance for raising the issue in Parliament.

Expressing satisfaction over the reaction from the West, exiled member of Myanmar's National League for Democracy, Tint Swe, said: "We want the neighbouring countries to take the lead for realistic actions for peaceful resolution, that is, political intervention. So far the voices from India have been as soft as Kashmiri silk. In the global action campaign for Burma, can the voice from New Delhi be more forceful''

Criticising India's "cautious'' policy towards her neighbour, he added that they needed "more than solidarity'' and in case "neighbours can't lead'', they should not present any roadblocks either. "Your constructive engagement policy is a failure because your engagement encouraged the regime to make an attempt to kill Aung San Suu Kyi,'' he said.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Myanmar, senior leader Communist Party of India (Marxist), Nilodpal Basu, said: "Some people say that these are internal matters. But sometimes adverse developments within countries need international pressure to ensure that democracy is secured.'' He added that his group in Parliament would certainly raise this question and also exert pressure on the Government to demand Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

Reiterating the same, the secretary of the All India Congress Committee, Anil Shastri, said: "If the operations in Iraq could concern America and Europe, successive dictatorial regimes in our neighbourhood concern us as well''. As the largest democracy, India should certainly ensure that democracy is restored in the neighbourhood, he stated.

Speakers also pointed out the similarity between the Indian freedom struggle and Aung San Suu Kyi's methods to bring democracy in her country. This similarity, said eminent Gandhian, Nirmala Despande, "makes it the duty of Indians to support her and her cause''.

Calling her a living role model for women all over the world, Madhu Kiswar of "Manushi'' said: "We celebrate her birthday as Asian Women's Day. Her unfailing faith in truth and non-violence remind us of the methods adopted by Mahatma Gandhi''. Also present at the meet were Member of Parliament, Holkhomang Haokip, member of the All India Forward Bloc, G. Devarajan, member of the Communist Party of India, Amarjeet Kaur, Rajiv Vora from Gandhi Peace Foundation and several members of the All Burmese Democratic Forces in India.

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