Daw Nyo Aye, chairperson of Rakhine Women's Network,who has been charged under sedition with section 505(b) for attending theAugust-13 Sittwe Rice Killing Day ceremony, was produced in the court on 29 August forthe first time after her arrest.

The women's rights activist from Sittwe was allowed totalk to Daw Kyaw Sein, chairperson of Rakhine Light Door Group, during herpresence at Sittwe township court at around 1 pm.

"I was allowedto speak to her. She is in good health," said Kyaw Sein.

The next hearing date is rescheduled for 12 September. Her daughter waspresent on the occasion, but not allowed to talk to Nyo Aye.

68-year-old Nyo Aye was arrested by the police on 14August from her office in Sittwe.

She attended the 56th (August-13 ) SittweRice Killing Day, organized by Sittwe student’s union in their office, said thefamily members on 13 August.

The number (1) police chief charged her under section505(b) for anti-State activities and she has beendetained in Sittwe prison since then. She may be awarded two years ofimprisonment or fines (or both).

On 13 August 1967, approximately 300 people were shotdead by the army personnel while they were protesting against the governmentbecause of shortage of rice grains. The demonstrators in Sittwe also demandedto address the hunger problem across Rakhine State.

A Rakhine woman activist asserted that by holding thememorial meeting over the sad day, the participants revisit the horror of themilitary government's violence over its own people.

"The day was observed during the time of Rakhinestate minister’s U Maung Maung Ohn. Thenwe worked with a lot of people and there was no such problem. I do notknow what happened to them  this time, as the junta authority tried tostop the ceremony. We have every right to reveal the history for our futuregenerations, she added.

Nyo Aye was 13 years old in 1967, when the crisis ofrice shortages erupted. Many protesters were shot dead and many turned woundedfor life after the incident. She remembers the horrible moments till today,said one of her relatives.