New Delhi: In yet another indication of the Myanmar junta's hell-bent approach to clampdown on the democratic process and immense desperation to keep pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Suu Kyi in captivity, extremely frivolous charges have been framed against her.
According to media reports, the charges by the Myanmar junta, also called the 'Tatmadaw', against the National Democratic League (NLD) leader have been framed under Section 8 of the country's export and import law which prohibits possession of foreign communications equipment without permission.
With the internet being banned, reports emanating from Myanmar say that on Monday early morning a major-ranked officer from the Army chief General Min Aung Hlaing's office searched the house of the State Counselor Suu Kyi at No. A, Myanan Bontha Street, Zeya Theikdi Ward, Zabuthiri Township, and "found six Icom walkie talkies from the security team, three Icom walkie talkies from the gate security team and one walkie talkie and a set of Jumper" that were "illegally imported".
The charges would be enough to keep Suu Kyi in detention till February 15.
Besides Myanmar President Win Myint, Suu Kyi's personal attorney U Nyan Win and personal physician Dr. Tin Myo Win were also held by the Junta.
Read: Myanmar's State Administration Council meets ministers
The charges against President Win Myint are equally frivolous. He has been charged under Section 25 of the country's Natural Disaster Management Law.
The case relates to September 20, 2020 when an NLD convoy of about 220 cars and 32 motorbikes in the Naypyitaw council area moving in a procession for election campaigning were welcomed and waved by President Win Myint and his wife and daughter when the convoy came near the Presidential residence.
The charges say that the violated President Win Myint violated the Covid-19 prevention rules issued by the ministry of health and sports on September 9.
With civilian protests going online, the Junta on Thursday has ordered operators to block Facebook till Sunday while other social media platforms like Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp have been restricted to just the state-owned internet provider MPT. Local media reports say people in Myanmar have started moving to Twitter, Telegram and Signal to stay connected.
Read: Myanmar health workers stage anti-coup protests
Besides state counselor Suu Kyi and Myanmar President Win Myint, the other political leaders and officials held by the military in Monday's pre-dawn swoop include U Phyo Min Thein (chief minister of Yangon region), Dr Zaw Myint Maung (CM, Mandalay region), Dr Aung Moe Nyo (CM, Magway region), Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint (CM, Kayin state), U Nyi Pu (CM, Rakhine state), Dr Aye Zan (CM, Mon state), U Maw (minister of planning and finance, Kayah state), U Soe Nyunt Lwin (minister of planning and finance, Shan state), U Han Thar Myint (member, central executive committee, NLD), U Nyunt Wai (chairman of NLD party, Shwe Daung), Daw Khin Saw Wai (Member of Parliament), Dr Myo Aung (Member of Parliament), Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi (filmmaker), Min Thway Thit (student leader), U Ko Ko Gyi (leader, People's Party), U Min Ko Naing and U Mya Aye (leaders of The 88 Generation Students).
