20 Kyat Notes in Sittwe Denounce Junta
Narinjara
12/5/2007
An unidentified organization has distributed a large number of 20 kyat notes containing writing denouncing the military government in the Arakan State capital Sittwe since mid-November 2007, reported an Arakanese politician from the city.
He said, "I heard a monk organization was distributing the notes urging people to stage demonstrations again in Sittwe without fear."
On the notes, the group has written in marker statements urging people to stage demonstrations again, to become free from the military government that is worse than Hitler or Saddam Hussein, and to be brave and fight the military government.
The politician said the notes had been distributed in key places in Sittwe, such as intersections and markets, in the early morning hours before people began waking up.
Many people are unwilling to hold the currency, fearing retribution from the authority if they do, but the 20 kyat notes have been unavoidable as they've spread around the city.
A source said army intelligence is now looking for clues as to which organization might be distributing the notes to people with anti-government statements.
The Burmese military has not dared to withdraw security forces from main locations in Sittwe since such anti-government activities are continuing; security forces in Sittwe have been recently reinforced by a regiment of riot police brought in from Burma proper last week.
