Statement on the release of the Burmese freedom fighters in India

No. – 02/2011

1. We share extreme happiness with the Burmese freedom fighters who after long thirteen
years of detention in India was released on the 19th May 2011, and also express our
gratitude to the Government of India who understanding our real situation and untold
suffering granted us freedom.

2. We also express our gratitude to all the organizations and individuals, whose names could
easily fill up endless pages, across the world, who understanding the reality extended their
helping hands towards these freedom fighters, across the globe. Our heartfelt gratitude goes
to Ms. Nandita Haksar, who is the main defendant lawyer to them, and all the expatriates
who from time to time gave us financial and moral supports till the victory.

3. Yet our happiness has been marred by the fact that three out of the thirty-four freedom
fighters are still in Kolkata Presidency Jail waiting for the trial for any other unfinished
legal bondages. Our earnest request to the Indian Government of the biggest democracy is
to release the remaining three freedom fighters at the earliest, by showing sympathy towards
these souls who have been hankering after freedom for such a long time.

4. We also feel worried because the released 31 freedom fighters have to continue staying in
India since democracy and federalism has not been reinstated in Burma. We therefore urge
the Government of India and all the democracies in the world to continue giving assistance
for their security all along.

5. As members of the ANC, we pledge to strive for the release of the rest three and also
honour the sacrifice these freedom fighters made for the cause of democracy and federalism
in Burma.

Committee for the freedom of the freedom fighters

Arakan National Council
Arakan
May 20, 2011

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