Only one of the dead monks was identified—U Thilavantha, of Yuzana Kyaunghtai Monastery, Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State. The other two, unidentified monks, were from Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in Rangoon’s South Okkalapa Township and Thar Du Monastery in Rangoon’s Kyeemyindine Township.

U Thilavantha was a teacher at the Myitkina monastery, which was raided by security forces on September 25. He was beaten and tortured and died in Myitkyina Hospital

The Alliance said 54 monks and seven nuns were arrested by Burmese authorities during last September’s demonstrations. The list of those killed, missing or arrested is not complete, however, the Alliance stressed.

Figures collected by the exile-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) state that 95 monks and 10 nuns were arrested.

During September’s demonstrations, more than 50 monasteries across the country were raided and searched by Burmese troops and security forces, who often plundered the premises. Two Rangoon monasteries were closed down, the Alliance said.

Apart for the arrests, about 10 monks were dismissed from their university studies. Some 15 fled the country.

One of the arrested monks, 29-year-old U Gambira, a leader of the AABBM group, has been charged with high treason, a capital offence carrying the death sentence or life imprisonment. He was seized from his hiding place in Kyaukse, central Burma, in early November.