Is Taunggok Following The Starlings' Theory ? (By Goldie Shwe)

In Burma, where the only authority comes from the gun-toting junta and their cronies, it is unsurprising that most people just mind their own business and get on with their daily struggle to live. It is unwise to be conspicuous under the eyes of the junta gunmen and assorted thugs, unless you relish imprisonment under the slightest pretext.

So how on earth have the people of Taunggok, about 50 miles north of Thandwe (Ngapali) managed not only to make faces at the all-powerful junta gunmen but also to play cat and mouse with them?

While most people are too frightened to even look straight into the eyes of the daughter or son of the nasty 'militocracy' shopping in a big super store, Taunggok openly challenges the thugs over unbelievable stupidity in so badly mis-managing the country. It expressed the displeasure of the corrupt officials' mis-management and the force labours. While most cities and towns in Burma are still nursing the wonds inflicted by junta during the last September protest, people of Taunggok managed to plan and gathered around for fresh and renewed demostrations. When this was forced to abandon, they started the poster war.

Where do they get the courage from? How do they manage to display this never-say-die attitudes? The answer is quite simple. They just stick to basics and apply their animal instincts in dealing with the predators of the obscenely powerful junta. The severely repressed residents of Taunggok have worked out that when you are so far from the top of the feeding chain, you must be united to survive against the shamelessly violent enemies - the junta.

Recently, researchers have discovered how vast flocks of starlings stay together when under attack by predators, never leaving any of their number isolated and vulnerable. Each starling constantly tracks seven others as they fly, to be instantly responsive to changes of direction. Cohesion may be threatened under attack, but the flock can regroup very quickly ready for the next threat.

Taunggok is doing exactly just that with the people united. Just like the starlings, they look out for each other and stick together. It is not easy to stick up a poster in the middle of the town, infested by patrolling security gunmen, without a team to support and watch out for you.

When there is a petition, everyone wants to sign and there is no hesitation to show unity and solidarity, either in print or in person. When it was agreed that it was time to demonstrate, they managed to form a group of about 200, again in the town centre. When two youths decided to go out on their own to shout out democracy slogans, many people watched them anxiously to report the situation and just like the starlings, they regrouped again very quickly.

This apparently simple starling-like behaviour has been puzzling and confusing for monodimensional junta. Why don't they disperse or be disloyal to each other as in some of the larger towns and cities? Why? Because the people of Taunggok have the firm belief that the only way to improve their lives is to win democratic freedoms. And for this, they understand that they have to be united,and behave as a close knit community, so that corrupt 'local authorities' cannot threaten,or frighten them. Just as the starlings know their predators, the brave people of Taunggok know theirs is the junta and it's cronies and corrupt followers, who can snatch them anytime to gain favour with tthe murdering 'authorities'. Like the starlings, they will not leave a member isolated and vulnerable.

Taunggok was seized by security troops on 17 January but people are still planning to demonstrate as soon as they have a chance. It means that the junta has to deploy many of its soldier-thugs, probably more than the population of the town itself. If every town in Burma follows the example of the courage of Taunggok, using and applying the same simply method - Starlings' Theory : keeping track of your own kind, to protect each other -what kind of effect and benefit the country will get ?

a) The people will feel the strength which comes from unity. Knowing that your life is more secure in the hands of your fellows will begin to increase resolve and strength.

b) The Junta would be faced with a physically and mentally tiring task. They may have the second biggest army (first if you count the newly recruited baby soldiers) in Asia but there is at least 50 Burmese people to every soldier/thug.

Public ridicule, an extension of the internet campaign, is what the junta should attract. The ridiculous strutting soldier/thugs, whose only military 'honours' have been 'won' in abusing, violating and killing their own people, have to be seen by the Burmese for what they are.

Taunggok has proved that unity and solidarity is strength. It is equally important to recognise and identify the enemy quickly so that you can deal with them. These simple and crucial lessons from the 'Starlings' Theory' appear to be working very well with people of Taunggok and so it could across Burma.

By Goldie Shwe

(You are very welcome to republish this article. If you can translate it, please do so and pass it on. To read more about how starling birds work please click here and here. )

Taunggok's Poster War : "Bring it on!"

28 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

Taunggok, arguably the most courageous town in the world, managed to put up posters in five areas, early this morning, despite being under close surveillance by armed security forces, the locals announced.

The posters read, " Follow the announcement of United Nations Human Rights !" "Release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, immediately !" " Release all political prisoners and monks, immediately!" " Stop unlawful and violent arrests !" " Start developing Myanmar's future by meetings and discussions !".

"One in a rain tree, near the local authorities office, one in front of the hospital, one near the small market and two by the nursery school, altogether five." said a local.

Not long after the posters were up, the police force went around to remove them all, it is reported.

Taunggok residents planned to stage a peaceful demonstration on 17 January, to express what they think of the current situation but 'authorities', or the junta, intervened.

Since then the security has been tightened up but the brave local people still managed to express their opinions using posters, though only for a short time.

The same anonymous person carried on to explain the aims of the poster war.

"The security is extremely tight and we wouldn't have a chance to gather in public. However it is necessary to raise morale among the people and that's why the posters went up, just to confirm to the junta that we are not going to give up easily."

On 22 January, two men, Ko Than Htay and Ko Zaw Naing were arrested and charged with movement restrictions after they went around the town, shouting democracy slogans aloud.

Ko Than Htay, who was beaten and punched by authorities that evening, had his face so bruised his family couldn't recognise who he was when they saw him.

"Taunggok was never very pleased with 'authority' but now with the tight security and violent arrests, the town is very unhappy about it all. We can just safely say that Taunggok is fully prepared for future confrontations."

Taunggok : Two Youths Charged

25 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

The two youths, who called out political slogans in Taunggok, Arakan have been prosecuted under movement restriction laws and will appear at court on 5 February, a resident reported.

Ko Than Htay and Ko Zaw Naing, who are from Chaung Kauk, Taunggok, called out," We Want Democracy !"," Release Aung San Suu Kyi!" as they were riding on bikes and and were subsequently arrested and detained in Taunggok police station.

While the security is still extremely tight in Taunggok, authorities are particularly focusing attention on particular area - Chaung Kauk.

After forcing protesters gathering for peaceful demonstrations in town to disperse, more armed security forces have been placed in Taunggok and members of the National League for Democracy Party are under surveillance.

Taunggok : 5 Mambers Forced To Disperse

23 January 2008
Original report by Aye Nai, DVB

A hundred strong, fully-armed junta militia group, forced 5 members of the National League for Democracy Party, to disperse as they were walking quietly, in Taunggok, Arakan, it is reported.

This morning, after the NLD members left the teashop near the central market in Taunggok and were walking along U Ottama road, heading for Saung Kauk area, they were chased by this fully-armed troop of security forces, led by chief police official, who ordered them to disperse.

"They were fully-equipped with batons and shields, a bit like riot police style with the violent and intimidating manner and ready to arrest us. They marched behind us, led by police chief Win Aung Ni. When they reached us they told us to disperse immediately", said Ko Moe Naing Soe, who was one of the 5 members walking back from town centre.

"We were told that,here in Taunggok, there is nothing we can do to make changes. They also told us that what we are trying to do is not going to make any difference"

Attempts were made to gather on 17 January to protest against forced labour and the badly managed economy . However, authorities managed to prevent the peaceful demonstration and since then, the security measures have been increased. Yesterday, the 2 Youth NLD members, who managed to shout out for democracy freedom and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, under the scrutiny of the watchful security forces, have since been arrested and detained.

Presently, all the movements and activities of people in Taunggok have been closely monitored and the civilians have lost whatever freedom of movement they had, which was already severely limited.

"The town has been invaded and seized by security forces. At the pagodas, teashops, on the roads, whereever you look, it is full of security forces. It is just a most unpleasant, repulsive and disgusting scene and is, as intended, highly intimidating. What the public feel deep down in their hearts and what they desire is something that no rulers, no government and no weapons can stop."

Taunggok : 2 NLD Youths Arrested

Press Release
22 January 2008
Original report by Aye Nai, DVB

Ko Soe Min Oo and Ko Kalar Shay, both members of NLD Youth, Taunggok have been arrested and are being detained at the local police station as they were shouting democracy freedom slogans, it is reported.

Despite 24 hours of heavy and intimidating security surveillance, the two NLD youth members shouted,"Gaining Democratic Freedom is our affair!", "The Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is our affair!", as they cycled along the roads.

On 17 January, the gathering of peaceful protests was forcefully dispersed by junta authorities.

Paranoid 'Authorities' Send More 'Security' In Taunggok

21 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB

After openly and bravely announcing that there will be more uprisings in 2008, unless positive changes are made, residents from the most courageous town on earth, unsurprisingly found themselves under the microscopic scrutiny of unquestionably the most paranoid and sadistic military junta in the world. According to the locals, there is an significant increase in the numbers of armed junta security forces as well as plain-clothes 'strangers'.

Instead of listening to what its people need or want, the junta-followers in Taunggok simply squashed peaceful demonstrations and tightened up the security, while closely watching every movement of any members of National League for Democracy Party.

Deputy Chair U Than Pe, Taunggok NLD said his house is under surveillance within the 30 yards surrounding and every visitor to the house is being recorded.

"Sometimes, they come into the house and have a chat with me for a couple of hours. If I need to go to town, then they said they would give me a lift."

Residents in and around Taunggok were planning to express their feelings towards the miserable economic conditions and the forced labour which has been imposed upon them, and to hold peaceful demonstrations in the town on 17 January. News of their plan leaked to the junta, and before they could stage any demonstrations the entire town was shut down for a day ! Since then, security has been dramatically tightened.

Despite the increase in the level of repressive armed security, locals have nevertheless spotted political activity in the recent new graffiti on Taunggok - Um main road.

The local people in the area are more openly discussing what they think of the bullying they have received from the juntas authorities, compared with last year, according to U Than Pe.

"For example, we managed to sign the petition, against the forced fire-guard duties, and sent them off to all the relevant organisations. Everyone was actively involved and actually fighting for a place to sign! They knew it(the forced labour)was terribly wrong and they wanted to let the junta know that they will not accept it."

"Today, people are beginning to believe and feel strongly that they must have the right to say clearly that something done by force is wrong. They wouldn't have thought about it last year. They are seeing, hearing and learning from long and bitter experience; this unending misery of repression which can only result in rebellion against the terrible injustices suffered."

The repressive military government however is not only famous for its paranoia and brutality towards any sign of protest, but is also at the same time leaving the weary public with no alternative but to support the demonstrations expressing their disgust at the unending misrule and progressive destruction of their country.

Taunggok Bottling Up

18 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB

For trying unsuccessfully to express their feelings over the management of the 'authorities', citizens of Taunggok are now guarded by heavily armed security forces while members of the National League for Democracy Party are being followed and watched in a most intolerably intimidating manner.

Just a day after the distrupted peaceful demonstration in the town, the locals are trying to bottle up their tensions and unhappiness over the ill-treatment they have received from authorities. It is reported that security is extremely tight here although schools and markets are all now open again.

"Cars full of armed riot police are following NLD members' every footstep. Swan Arr Shin Militia and USDA members have positioned themselves at all the road junctions and teashops. They are holding cameras and walkie talkies to provide the usual level of intimidation. Apart from that, everything else could be called normal."

It is also reported that many locals, including farmers from the surrounding area have made attempts to come and join the peaceful protest.

The public have been struggling to put up with 'forced' fire guard duties, other 'forced' labour, a 'forced' reduction in rice price for sale to the military, a 'forced' sunflower growing project that no farmer wanted to be involved in, as well as 'forced' cash "donations" to the 'authorities'. It was their frustration and tensions that they were trying to express, peacefully but clearly, in yesterday's protests.

"Unfortunately, we are even more angry now that our peaceful demonstrations have been forcibly dispersed. We have been unhappy for many long years with so much disappointment and bad feelings about the general mismanagement, which have all been bottled up. When it is going to explode, I can't tell but it will, sooner or later."

Other Arakan(Rakhine)regions, such as Sitttwe, Mun Aung and Thun Dwe, where active protests were held during the September protests, also see the increase of armed forces while more troops have been positioned in Rangoon.

Authorities Intervene in Taunggok's Protest, USDA and Swan Arr Shin Militia Ready

17 January 2008
Original Report by Naw Say Paw, DVB, Thailand

An estimated crowd of 200 people gathered this morning to launch a protest but the 'authorities' intervened and dispersed the crowd.

"The crowd in town centre market place was about 70 people, while another crowd was gathered in front of the hospital, altogether about 200 strong," said a participant.

It is assumed that the information of the planned protest was leaked. "As we were gathering, the security forces appeared and intimidated us. We dispersed but small crowds were still lingering around. We then gathered in front of the hospital, where the Chair of the township PDC told us not to start trouble and create work for them, in a threatening manner."

"All forms of transport to town was blocked, including the jetty so that they can stop the people from surrounding area joining the protests. The town centre market is also closed and the shop keepers were forced to leave. All the schools have been also closed and the children sent home"

A resident described the atmosphere as very tense. "An estimated 5000 security forces are now in place. They have taken position at every road junction. Ambush patrols are also standing by. USDA and Swan Arr Shin Militia are all over town as well. They are equipped with cameras, batons and going around town on motorbikes, taking photos of everyone they see, saying the bastards would be dragged away when needed."

However, it is widely predicted that the moment the security steps down, the protest will start. "From the bottom of our hearts, we cannot accept that our peaceful conduct merits such terrible intimidation or prevented by any 'authorities'. If we are forced to disperse this time, then we will just have to plan for the next time, until we succeed."

Taunggok Protests, Roads and Schools Closed

17 January 2008 Press Release
Original Report by Naw Say Paw

This morning, police forces dispersed the gathering of around 200 people to launch a protest, in Taunggok, Arakan (Rakhine), it is reported.

At 7:00 am, a crowd of about 70 people gathered in front of the town centre market place, for a walking protest, to demonstrate the daily suffering and troubles, faced by ordinary civilians, according to one participant.

News of the planned demonstration, however was leaked and authorities managed to intervene the marching before it started and dispersed the crowd.

To stop the people from the surrounding area joining the protest, all the transportation system to town has been blocked, including the jetties. All the schools and markets were also being closed.

Taunggok, famous for its political activities, since last September, still has their leading political members being detained.

The authorities suspected the involvement of the town's National League for Democracy Party in today's protests and the deputy chair U Than Pe' was taken away for a 30 mins long interrogation at 11 :00 pm, last night.

The atmosphere in town is still very tense this afternoon and there are predictions that the protests will start as soon as the security forces are being reduced.

Petition Starts In Rakhine

5 January 2008
Original report by Aye Nai, DVB

Thousands of people signed the petition in Rakhine State, Western Burma, the first of the mass movements for 2008.

About 7000 people signed in the petition for the release of U Khin Hla, secretary, NLD Party , Rakhine and Ko Min Aung, treasurer, which is to be sent to authorities, it is reported.

Both gentlemen were arrested and imprisoned for reporting the prevalence of forced labour and forced recruitment of child soldiers. This is in direct contravention of the Supplementary Understanding reached on 26 February 2007 between the ILO (International Labour Organisation) and the junta.

Ko Moe Naing Soe, an NLD Party promotional team member, said, ' Signatures from all over the state have been collected and we have had about 7000, altogether. The petition will be sent off to senior general Than Shwe, in a few days' time.'

U Khin Hla is serving 4 years sentence and Ko Min Aung 2 years in Than Dwe' prison.

There have been some other petitions in Rangoon and other areas.

To read the agreement of the 26 February 2007 ,a Supplementary Understanding between the ILO and Myanmar government, please click here.

Taunggote's Ko Min Aung Given Family Visit Permission

December 24, 2007
Original Source : DVB's Naw Say Paw

For the first time, since his arrest in September, Ko Min Aung, joint secretary of National League for Democracy Party, Taunggote, will be given permission for a family visit, it is reported.

Ko Min Aung, 35, arrested in early October, then sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison. However, after the release of the fellow prisoners, who were also arrested with him, Ko Min Aung's sentence has been reduced to 2 1/2 years. During his first 2 months of the detention in Thandwe prison, he was not allowed any family visit, according to his mother.

'They said I can see him fortnightly on Sundays so I am hoping to visit on next Sunday. I am getting very excited as I will soon have a chance to see him. They kindly told me that Sundays are the best because you may then have longer time, about 30 mins or a bit longer. During the week, it is busy so you have shorter time. As soon as I heard the news I just can't wait to see my son. Being a monther, I am just dying to see my son's face, and then I shall be content.

Ko Min Aung and his mum are the lucky ones as he is the first political prisoner from outside Rangoon, who was given the permission for a family visit. So far, only the 8888 generation students in Insein prison have been allowed to see the families.

U Hlaing Aye, member of parliament , Pakoku Townwhip, who is in Myinchan prison,
Daw Win Mya Mya and other NLD members in O Bo prison, Mandalay,
U Myint Oo in Magwe prison and hundreds of other political prisoners who are all detained in prisons across the country are no so lucky. Until now, no family members have seen their love ones, since the arrest, nearly 3 months ago.

For full report, please click here.

The Building Up Time In Taunggote

23 December 2007
Origional source : DVB's Naw Say Paw and Nan Kum Tayauk, Thailand

The citizens in Taunggote have been ordered to take on the guarding duty to watch the public activities by the rulers, it was reported. Since the beginning of the month, people from all four areas of the town have been on the political activity watch duty and if they can't carry out the order, they have to pay the penalty - a heavy sum. This latest turn in the politically active town, which has challanged the junta to make a' swift change or get out', is creating the very unhappy situation among the locals, almost like the pressure building up in the volcano, before the eruption, according to one resident.

The antigovernment activists have been tirelessly campaigning, including propaganda distribution and graffiti writing on the roads and the much embarrassed rulers are focing the public to take on the guard duty to catch the campainers.

'The whole town is full of guards. There are about 6 guard centres for each area of the town. At least 3 people must be on duty in one centre, all night long, from 7 pm until 6 am. They call it fire guard but the funny thing is that there shouldn't be any fire alarm warning. It is clearly people being asked to spy on each other', said one local.

'Nevertheless, it fails to stop the campaign. Posters appear everywhere; outside the town, in the trees and bushes, on the lamp post, in the smaller nearby towns, there are lots of letter distribution. That's what they are after. They want to get them so they call it a fire guard', he said.

'Those households, who can't go on the guard duty were charged a huge penalty payments of about K 10,000/- so some families who can afford the fine are even sending the ladies for the duty, which is rediculous. We are all poor people, who have to work during the day and now, at night, when we should be sleeping, whe have to work too. People are getting very tired and angry. The lower ranking officials also have to share the duty.'

When the local government office was asked to explain about this new compulsory guarding duty, there was no one available to answer.

'People are getting very fed up and unhappy about this force labour. Everyone who came off the duty is swearing and cursing. It is just like the slow fire burning inside and there could be a big explosion any time. There are so many other parts of the country where they rulers are using force and power to demand and pressure the normal citizens and there are only so much that you can tolerate. If they are fuelling and building up the pressure in the volcano, it is inevitable that there will be an eruption'.

Rangoon and other areas

'This is the quiet moment but on the other hand it just means that it is accumulating and waiting for the next big public demostration', said people from Rangoon and around the country. After the most brutal crack down on the peacefully protesting monks and other civilians in September, the junta unwittingly fuelled the hatred and unhappiness among the public. Since then the country's economy and humanitarian situation have gone bad to worse and people are struggling so much, just to have daily meals, it will be difficult to avoid another public uprising', according to the people DVB managed to interviewed.

Where questioned if the country's affairs are now over, 90% replied that they are certain there will be many more coming up. 'It is not the fortune teller's prediction. It comes from people's hearts. It may have seemed gone quiet but it is a bit like a resting time after the running race. You entered one competion, you lost it, you went back to prepare and practice again, train hard again, when you are ready, you will enter another competion. We are just training hard to enter the next big race.' said one Rangoon resident.

Another resident from Karen state said,' It is like a boxing match. You may loose the first round but you need to regroup and recharge for the next round'.

'This is a Buddhist country. That was the worst thing anyone can even think of - killing the much loved and respected Buddhist monks. Only people who are blinded by greed and power can do this. The public has no weapon so they just have to suffer at the moment but by no means are they giving it up. All we can think of is how to get rid of this killer government.'

A public member from Mandalay, central Burma said,' We are just waiting for a good moment. We are not frightened. There are lots of volunteers to carry out the poster sticking job. This was done despite the top security control that they (the junta) arranged, well over 2 or 3 days before the VIP visit (referring to Than Shwe's visit to Pagan). It was just a proof that we are not afraid. We are all waiting for every little opportunity'.

For the original report please click here.

Taunggote Leads The Challenge

Orginal source - Aye Naing, DVB
December 13, 2007

When it comes to bravery, Taungote, a town in Rakine State is top of the world as it openly challenges the junta to make changes of the political situation in the country before the end of the year or face revolution.

Written warnings were distributed in five area of the town yesterday evening, with the noticeably increased numbers than the previous distributions, with some popular slogans saying,

'Please be prepared general public, as there are going to be more uprisings'

'The Battle Is On'

'Schizophrenic Than Shwe - Power Addict and Control Freak'

'Having Good Economy Is Our Right'

'We Want Democracy and Human Rights'

'Religion Destroying Government - Get Out!'

The main distribution area are; the jetty, the hospital entrance, Sri Maha Bodi Banyan Tree in town center, the old cinema and the evening market.

This courageous challenge is the first to be announced after the brutal crackdown of the monks and public protests in September, internationally known as 'The Saffron Revolution', when many hundreds people were killed and thousands thrown into prisons.

One observer in town said, ' This battle cry is the result of insulting the much loved religion of our country for thousands of years and also not making an effort to seriously discuss and settle the political matters with the country's formally elected leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi. Young people, who previously did not have interest in politics are now actively getting involved in this public's democracy movement, under the guidence of the Public Action Committee. I can see all the signs of the big public revolution, coming up, soon.'