He witnessed and participated in the country's independence struggle as a student activist. He was one of the chairmen of the Rangoon University Student Union. He was one of the many dissident politicians, workers, students and writers detained by the Revolutionary Council after a coup led by General Ne Win in 1962. He was detained in the Insein prison for three years and three months. He issued an appeal which strongly opposed the Myitsone Dam Project in September 2011. He was honored with Manhae Peace Prize from South Korea for his literature, leadership for young people and dedication to democracy and peace in August 2013.