Pro-demo supporters urge India not to aid military

New Delhi, Apr 21: Myanmarese pro-democracy supporters in India today appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to increase military aid and training support to the military regime in their country, and voiced their apprehensions that it would be used against their own people.

In a memorandum submitted to the PMO, they said,''Practically foreign-made weapons and ammunition are used to fight ethnic minorities. It makes the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) feel overconfident to kill or assault own people. Therefore, we urge all neighbours to review their existing Myamnar policy and adopt a 'Look People' policy.'' Citing several instances of alleged excesses by the military regime in their country, the rights groups sought to draw the attention of China and Russia, members of the UN Security Council who had recently vetoed a resolution calling on the military rulers to release political prisoners and speed up progress towards democracy.

They said the veto has ''disheartened'' them by undermining their efforts for restoration of democracy and gave a free land to the regime.

A copy of the memorandum will also be submitted to the Chinese and Russian embassies here.

UNI