“We [88 Generation Students] will continue our struggle for the country, even if we face arrest and torture. We will not turn back—whatever happens; whatever difficulties or pressures we face,” said Htun Myint Aung, a member of the 88 Generation Students movement who spoke to The Irrawaddy from his hiding place in Rangoon on Thursday.

Six members of 88 Generation Students group: Khin Moe Aye, Kyaw Soe, Zaw Min, Min Min Soe, Htun Htun Win and Myo Yan Naung Thein—all former political prisoners—were arrested on Sunday for their activities against the Burmese government, confirmed Htun Myint Aung.

“The government should realize that they can not solve the conflict in Burma by arresting, torturing and jailing people. It is not the way. History has proved this. To achieve national reconciliation the only way for the Burmese generals to engage is by means of dialogue,” said Htun Myint Aung.

He said that his colleagues were now separated inside an interrogation centre in Insein prison. They were arrested because they were linked to the activists who, in late September, filmed the September uprising and spoke to exiled media about human rights abuses and arbitrary torture under the Burmese regime, claimed Htun Myint Aung.

At the same time, seven activists—including Aung Aung, Aung Gyi, Myat Hsan and Win Maw, also former political prisoners— were also arrested by authorities for trying to send video footage of the uprising to international media.

Meanwhile, sources in Rangoon claimed that authorities are presently planning to arrest university students suspected of involvement in the September protests if the students return to sit their examinations.

Family members and colleagues of Aye Aye Mon—another detained member of the 88 Generation Students group—were prohibited from visiting her in Insein prison starting Wednesday.

Members of the activist group have also expressed deep concerns over detained colleagues who have been in poor health and are forced to share cells with criminals.

The parents of teenager Dee Nyein Lay, a member of the All Burma Federation of Students Unions, say their son was forced to stay in the same cell as a criminal and that they were very worried about him.

Detained 88 Generation student leaders—including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Mya Aye and Jimmy—were moved by prison authorities from Insein Annex Prison to Insein main prison on Monday night and were also forced to share cells with criminals.

Meanwhile, local residents in Taunggok Township in Burma’s western Arakan State said that, at the moment, members of the National League for Democracy are being frequently harassed and interrogated by the local authorities.