Shan politician detained

Shan politician detained

Politics

The No. 2 man of Burma's second largest party was recently summoned and held by Rangoon's military intelligence authorities, said sources from northern and eastern Shan State this morning. 

Sai Nood a.k.a. Sai Nyunt Lwin, 52, General Secretary of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, the party that won the most seats in Shan State, was "sent for" through a phone call at noon on Thursday (6 February), while he was working at his Zalatnee Printing Press in Rangoon, according to the sources. "His family was worried when he failed to show up," said one. 

His wife said the reason for the invitation and subsequent internment was not clear. "But he did send word not to worry", said Nang Ohn Tint. "An MI officer also assured us they were doing their best to see all of this came to a happy end." 

Khun Toon Oo, president of the SNLD, his immediate boss, close friend and neighbor, was not immediately available for comment. 

Sai Nood is one of the few Shan politicians who are natives of Rangoon. He is also a winner of National Literature award, conferred to him during the Ne Win era.