Suu Kyi disappointed over ban on public rallies in Chin State

14 January 2014: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi expressed her disappointment over the way in which civil servants and students were banned from participating in public events during her visit to Chin State.

She said that she would make a formal complaint to the State authority if it was true, and that she would like to know the names of the officials who had issued the order.

Her responses came as a surprise when she was told that local authorities had given verbal instructions to her supporters not to join mass rallies where she was to give speeches.

The 68-year-old leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) also said that it was unfair and against the law and that nobody had the right to issue such an instruction.

According to the Chinland Post, a school teacher in Hakha said that they were asked to sign a document to confirm that they would not turn up at the public rallies.

A Hakha government employee said that they were verbally warned that they had to stay in the office when she [Suu Kyi] arrived and that public servants had to keep themselves away from politics.

Media reports said that the district administration had issued the instruction in Falam town.

Despite this, thousands of supporters and well-wishers in northern parts of Chin State stood in line on the roads and greeted the 68-year-old Nobel Peace laureate upon her arrivals.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made visits to Tedim, Falam and Hakha towns of Chin State and Chin-populated towns including Kalaymyo in Sagaing Region from 6 to 10 January.#