Myanmar warns students to avoid political activity

The Myanmar (Burmese) government has warned university students to keep away from politics.

"All students involved in political activities are subject to expulsion from their universities," said a statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the 7 Day News Journal reported on Saturday.

The statement was distributed to all of the country's technology universities and colleges, but no students had yet been expelled, the report said.

 University students in Myanmar have long played a leading role in political movements, including during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising that ousted military strongman General Ne Win.

That movement began among technology students in Yangon.

"The Myanmar government always believes it is dangerous if the public, especially students, get involved in politics," said Ko Ko Gyi, a student leader of the 1988 protests.

"They (government) should try to change their mindset instead of kicking students out of politics."