Dozens of protesters were arrested in Loikaw, Kayah State, late last week, after holding demonstrations against a planned statue of General Aung San in the town, according to a Reuters report. The article said that 36 people were arrested on February 7, with a further 10 detained a day later, following protests outside the National League for Democracy’s headquarters in Loikaw. The protests began last year after the Kayah State government announced plans to build a statue of Aung San in the town. Aung San is regarded as the country’s independence hero, and is also the father of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. While he is generally popular throughout the country, ethnic minority groups often argue that Aung San’s promise of a federal country has never been delivered. Others believe the funds should instead be used for development projects throughout the country.