Burmese and Indian activists call for greater Indian support

At least nine Burmese democracy activists and more than 20 Indian supporters on Saturday held a protest rally in New Delhi demanding that India lend its support to the Burmese democracy movement, as the time is ripe with continued protests and unrest in Rangoon and parts of the country.

"If Indian government does not stand by the Burmese people, who are facing injustice and oppression from the military rulers, then they [Indian government officials] should be resign from office," Sh.T.D.Singh, an Indian social worker said.

India, as the largest democracy in the world has inspired people around the globe and Indians have a tradition of standing up against injustice and human rights violations, he added.

Just as India helped Nepal, during a crisis, Indians are ready to help the Burmese to restore democracy in their country as the Burmese people look up to them, he said.

Singh added that they, as social workers, would meet Indian leaders to convey the Burmese democracy movement's hopes on India and the need for greater support for the restoration of democracy in Burma.

Meanwhile, in Burma, monks continued to take to march on the streets in protest for the fifth day in Rangoon.

Similar protests have spread to other parts of the country. Monks on September 18 declared 'Pattanikuzana', an excommunicative boycott against the ruling junta, for failing to apologize regarding their high-handedness while cracking down on monks in Pakhokku in northern Burma during a peaceful rally by them earlier this month.