Leading women activist Daw Nyo Aye produced in court for the first time

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

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

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

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

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

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

The number (1) police chief charged her under section 505(b) for anti-State activities and she has been detained in Sittwe prison since then. She may be awarded two years of imprisonment or fines (or both).

On 13 August 1967, approximately 300 people were shot dead by the army personnel while they were protesting against the government because of shortage of rice grains. The demonstrators in Sittwe also demanded to address the hunger problem across Rakhine State.

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

"The day was observed during the time of Rakhine state minister’s U Maung Maung Ohn. Then we worked with a lot of people and there was no such problem. I do not know what happened to them  this time, as the junta authority tried to stop the ceremony. We have every right to reveal the history for our future generations, she added.

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