Myanmarese activists seek release of 34 ''freedom fighters''

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) Myanmarese activists, living in exile in India, have sought the release of 34 ''Burmese freedom fighters,'' languishing in Indian jails for over a decade now.

In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India-based Burmese Democratic Forces said these ''freedom fighters'' were members of the National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) and the Karen National Union (KNU), fighting against the military regime in Myanmar.

''We are writing to you to bring to your attention the terrible injustice being done to 34 Burmese freedom fighters languishing in Indian jails for ten years for no fault of theirs,'' it said in the memorandum.

They had been arrested in Andaman Islands on February 11, 1998.

The activists also demanded that the ''freedom fighters'' be given the status of political prisoners.

The India-based Burmese Democratic Forces also urged New Delhi to end all inter-state commercial relationships with Myanmar until democracy was restored there besides stopping all arms sales and transfers to Myanmarese military junta.

Another organisation, Solidarity Committee for Burma's Freedom Fighters, also sought the immediate release of the arrested persons.

''In the meantime, they should be treated with dignity accorded to political prisoners,'' it added.

The two organisations will hold protest demonstrations here on February 11 to mark the ten years of the ''illegal detention of 34 ''Burmese freedom fighters''.

UNI AG PK PM1805