University students protest against power cuts in Mon State

Wednesday, 09 March 2011 20:21 Kun Chan

University students in Moulmein in Mon State demonstrated and threw stones at electrical services offices on Tuesday in protest against cuts in electricity during their graduation exams period.

Students in this Rangoon high school have begun graduation exams, an intense process that will continue across Burma until March 17. Photo : Mizzima

Students in this Rangoon high school have begun graduation exams, an intense process that will continue across Burma until March 17. Photo : Mizzima
More than 50 university students gathered at the Electric Power Cooperation Office in Ngantay Ward and the township office of electrical engineering in Mandalay Ward, sources said.

A source in Mandalay Ward said some students threw stones at the electrical office, breaking glass. Students said they also protested on behalf of grade 10 students.

‘The power cuts began two days before the exams on the first subject. The graduating students had to study without electricity for two days, and they’re unhappy about that. That’s why we lodged the protests’, a student leader told Mizzima.

Graduation exams started on March 7 across Burma and will end on March 17.

Similarly, in March 2009, power cuts occurred on four consecutive days before the graduation exams began. University students lodged protests, and the authorities supplied electricity during the exam period.(Mizzima)