Prominent Arakanese monk arrested in Rangoon

October 15, Narinjara News

Rangoon: A prominent Arakanese monk was arrested by the Burmese Army in
Rangoon, Burma on October 1, for leading the recent protests by monk in
Rangoon, a source said.

U Kawwidda (48), abbot of Thatka Thila Zaya Thidi Pati Pahtan monastery in
North Okklapa Township in Rangoon, was arrested by the army at night, but
no one knows his whereabouts.

U Kawwidda is the former president of the Rakhine Young Monk Union which
was formed by Arakanese monks in Rangoon during the 1988 democracy
uprising in Burma. He was very active during the uprising.

U Kawwidda hails from Pauktaw Township in Arakan State and has been living
in his own monastery in Rangoon since 2000, a source said.

U Kawwidda is also a member of the 15-monk committee of the Monks'
Alliance, known as Thinga Thetpoundsu, which led the recent peaceful
protests by monks in Burma.