Police have arrested two men who heckled the nationalist monk U Wirathu as he gave a speech in support of Myanmar’s military-drafted constitution on Sunday.
The men were allegedly beaten by members of the crowd at the rally in front of Yangon City Hall before being detained and charged under article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
The monk was railing against the National League for Democracy’s efforts to amend the controversial charter when someone in the crowd shouted out to interrupt him, according to witnesses.
“Is this democracy perfect or up to standard now?” U Wirathu asked. “If you have shortcomings and you put the blame on an inanimate book, then I must say you are following the wrong path.”
A heckler responded that the party was “not following the wrong path.” Then a brawl ensued.
Ko Aung Myint, who was at the rally, told Myanmar Now he witnessed supporters of U Wirathu beating the heckler and his companion and was then himself arrested after trying to break up the brawl.
“A woman slapped one of the boys. The men punched them. Then the boy and his comrade ran for their lives,” he said. “The police were there when they got beaten. I said ‘Don’t beat them! Act lawfully!’ and tried to stop them. Then they beat me too.”
Ko Aung Myint was released without charge, but Ko Aung Ko Thet of South Dagon township and Ko Pyae Phyo Htun of Kyeemyindaing township were charged and then released on bail later that evening.
“The two were charged for disturbing [the rally],” said Kyauktada township police chief Myo Thet.
Ko Pyae Phyo Htun had a swollen forehead and Ko Aung Ko Thet had a minor cut on his forehead when Myanmar Now interviewed them at the police station.
The incident happened while the pair were waiting at a bus stop after leaving work, they said.
“We were a bit drunk. I don’t know how many times I got punched,” Ko Pyae Phyo Htun said.
Ko Aung Myint, who is a member of the NLD’s Kyauktada township branch, said police stood by as U Wirathu’s supporters turned violent.
“Somebody kicked me from behind as I was being taken to the police station in handcuffs. If the officers were actually doing their jobs, [the attacker] couldn’t have come near to me at all,” he said.
Police chief Myo Thet said his officers could not identify the people who beat the heckler and his companion because there was a large crowd.
Ko Pyae Phyo Htun and Ko Aung Ko Thet will stand trial at Kyauktada court.
