Salute to 88 generation student leader

I put my hat off to the 88 generation student leaders after i got the following mail.

Peaceful protest over the sudden unannounced hike of fuel prices by the military regime took place in Burma this morning on August 19 (Sunday). The 8888 Generation Students Group made a peaceful march in Rangoon this morning, started about 10 am and ended around 12:45 pm. About 500 people joined them. (See photos attached.) The march began from Koke-kaing and successfully ended when they reached Kyauk-myong market in Rangoon. Passerby people showed their support as they clapped and waved hands at the demonstrators and a few police and USDA members showed up when nearly ended.Yesterday, the 8888 Generation Student Group issued a statement regarding the situation of fuel prices. In this statement, the 8888 Group demands that the military regime tackle the problem of skyrocketing commodity prices and inflation rate as a consequence of this sudden unannounced hike of fuel prices and solve the economic and social hardships of the people. They also pointed out that increasing in particular the price of natural gas, which is abundant in the country, is not rational. Htay Kywe, one of the 8888 student leaders, said that this morning march was also to symbolize and symbolizes the current dreadful situation of ordinary people in Burma because whole majority people have to take “walk” as their best affordable means of transportation for daily survival at this hike of fuel prices while the military elites and their acquaintances possess automobiles which prices range between 75,000 – 250,000 US Dollar. These prices are quick shocking while we all are well aware of the dire situation of the people of Burma as refugees, IDPs, migrant laborers, etc.

There was also another demonstration reported to have taken place about the same time in North Okkapala Township, an outskirt of Rangoon. And it will not be surprising if more and more people take actions in coming days or weeks if the regime does not or cannot resolve this appalling situation.