Women's rights activist Daw Nyo Aye charged under section 505(b), sent to Sittwe prison

Daw Nyo Aye, chairperson of Rakhine Women's Network, who was picked up by the police on Tuesday, has been arrested and charged with defamation of State under section 505(b). Later the women's rights activist was sent to Sittwe prison.

"Yes. She has been prosecuted under section 505(b) and sent to Sittwe jail. We are now planning for extending legal assistance to her. It is not yet known who the plaintiff is," said a close relative of Nyo Aye.

She attended the 56th annual rice killing day, organized by  Sittwe University students’ union on 13 August, and thus she drew attention of the police, claimed her daughter.

“My mother  is active in various women's issues. When she attended the event of Sittwe University students, she drew notice of the government authorities,” added the daughter.

“After her immediate arrest,  Nyo Aye  was sent to jail. She was not allowed to meet family members. It's quite surprising,” asserted her daughter.

The annual rice killing day remembers the killing of nearly 300 agitating people, when the army personnel opened fire on them on 13 August in 1976. The Sittwe-based  protesters  demanded a pragmatic solution to  shortage of rice grains.