NAY PYI TAW, March 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Leader of Myanmar National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi arrives to attend a session of the House of Representatives (Lower House) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 11, 2016. Myanmar's Lower House Friday elected U Htin Kyaw of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) as one of the three vice presidents to be submitted to the two-House Union Parliament for presidential run after qualification scrutiny. (Xinhua/U Aung/IANS)
Yangon, April 17 (IANS) The Myanmar government has granted amnesty to 83 prisoners on Sunday, the country's traditional new year day, according to a presidential order.
The presidential pardon was granted with an aim to bring about national reconciliation and to ensure peace of mind of the people on the occasion of the new year, said the presidential order.
On April 8, a total of 199 prisoners, including political activists and students facing trial connected with politics, were released from prisoners across the country, Xinhua news agency reported.
That release came a day after State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to seek presidential pardon to political prisoners and activists.
Among them were 36 women and two children, according to the Police Force.
The release was the first after the new government took office.
