Myanmar releases 20 students

Twenty students who were detained in Myanmar for taking part in protests and demanding education reforms in Latpadan town have been released, officials said on Wednesday.

Violent clashes between security forces and the students occurred on March 10 as the protesters attempted to push through barricades erected by the security forces to head for Yangon after negotiation between the two sides broke down, Xinhua reported.

A total of 127 protesters, including 65 students and 62 civilians, were arrested during the crackdown.

Twenty students were released on late Tuesday night and the ones who are still detained are expected to appear before Letpadan Township Court in Bago Region later in the day.

The crackdown brought the more than one week's sit-in protest in Lapadan to an end.

The students planned a non-stop protest march towards Yangon although all 11 points of their demand on the amendment of the education law were agreed in principle during four-party talks on February 11 which involve the government, the parliament, the Leading Committee for Democracy Education Movement and the National Network for Education Reform (NNER).

The education amendment bill is being discussed at the ongoing parliament session of the upper house with an emphasis on suitability, adaptability and practicality for the long-term interest of the country.