Centre urged to release 34 Myanmarese freedom fighters

Kolkata, Apr 25 (UNI) Founder of Rani Jhansi regiment of the INA Lakshmi Sehgal today urged the Centre to release 34 Myanmarese freedom fighters languising in Indian jails for the past ten years.

Ms Sehgel made this appeal through a video conference where she said the pro-democratic Myanmarese nationals had committed no offence in the Indian territory as they were 'misled' by a former Indian intelligence officer to land in Andaman island. They were arrested by the Indian Army in 1998.

She also expressed concern over the hosue arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar by the military junta.

Meanwhile, the Solidarity Committee for Burma's Freedom Fighter (SCBFF) will host an exhibition football match between East Bengal and Mizzima comprising Burmese pro-democratic activists living in exile, at East Bengal ground tomorrow.

SCBFF members Nandita Haskar and Sujato Bhadra told a news conference today that until the Burmese nationals were released from jails, they should be treated as political prisoners.

The Burmese nationals had been languishing in the Presidency Jail here and cases pending in a city court.

The CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc had extended their support to the Myanmarese pro-democratic activists.

Former Olympian Chuni Goswami released a book "Solidarity Football" on the occasion.

UNI PC SJC RN1931