ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

Nem Davies | New Delhi - An editor from a monthly magazine Cherry' was forced to resign from his work for publishing a poem named 'De Pa Yin Ga', written about the historical 'Depayin' town, in June issue.

The notorious Censorship Board under the Ministry of Information summoned the editor and questioned him on June 24 for publishing the poem. He was later ordered to resign from his post.

The poem, written by poet Kyi Maung Than, depicts about the historical events connected to 'Depayin' town.

"The Censor Board asked him who would take responsibility for the poem. Htay Aung replied that he has the responsibility. Then he had to resign under pressure," an official from the magazine told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.

The poem speaks of how historically 'Depayin' town was famous for producing great heroes such as King Ahlaung Sithu and great warrior Mahabandula and many others.

The poet, however, said it is sad that the town has become a place of birth for dacoits, and thugs. In the conclusion of the poem, the poet said he was haunted by the past when he looked back on 'Depayin' town while traveling along the Ye Oo-Monywa highway.

While it is still unknown what has enraged the Burmese censorship board, it is believed that the poem made officials unhappy for picking 'Depayin' town, which is notoriously known in the recent years, for becoming a place where the Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was attacked brutally.

In May 2003, the Junta-backed thugs made a brutal attacked on the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate's motorcade while on she was on a political tour. The attacked killed at least 60 innocent supporters and injured several others of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but she was saved.

However, following the attacked, the Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party – National League for Democracy - Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo were placed under house arrest.

Former military intelligence officer Maj Aung Lin Htut, who defected from the army, in a recent interview with Voice of America (VOA) Burmese Service radio reveled that the 'Depayin massacre' had been an orchestrated plan and was ordered by junta chief Snr. Gen Than Shwe.

Meanwhile, journalists and literary community in Rangoon said it is unfair to sack an editor for a mere reason of publishing a poem.

"An editor should not be sacked from his job for just publishing a poem. But this kind of treatment will continue as long as the Censor Board exists and all the magazines and journals have to get permission for all their publications," a veteran writer said on condition of anonymity.

As a replacement for the editor, who has been sacked, the magazine, Cherry, said it has submitted a new editor's named, Pyi Thway Naing, whom it wants to hire as the editor, to be approved by the Censorship Board.

"We have not yet appointed a new editor. We submitted the name of the editor to the Censorship Board for their approval on Friday. We hope we will get the permission within this week," the official at the Magazine office said.

Cherry magazine was first published in 1986. Htay Aung, a veteran editor who previously worked as the Executive Editor of 'Beauty Max' magazine and as the Editor of 'Seik Ku Cho Cho' publishing house, had been working with the magazine for just over a year.

This poem can be viewed on Mizzima website by visiting this link:
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/yatha-bank/poem/16/1354-2008-06-30-04-23-45.