Memorial service for 2003 Depayin incident

Memorial service for 2003 Depayin incident

Published on Saturday, 31 May 2014 21:17

The memorial service to mark Depayin incident

The National League for Democracy held a memorial service on Friday to mark Depayin incident for victims of unrest triggered opponents of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi on May 30, 2003.

"We pray for our comrades who fell during the attack and recite poems paying tribute to their courage. Then, they (ceremony organisers) give a clear explanation on that incident to us," said Moe Min, one of the participants.

The service, lasted three hours, took place at Kyi village. Its participants included about a thousand residents from Khin-U, Yae-U, Tantsal, Monywa and Chaung-U townships.

The incident happened 11 years ago during a trip taken by Suu Kyi to meet her supporters in Sagaing Region in Central Myanmar.

The military-backed mob attacked Suu Kyi and a convoy of her supporters resulting in high casualties. Many believed the incident was meant to assassinate the NLD leader amid the commotion.

"I think there were about 300 followers on Daw Suu's convoy that night – 120 of them were later detained by the government. Therefore, the remainder might be killed or fled the attack. But I think the latter was impossible because the 3,000-strong mob with arms surrounded and attacked the convoy," said one of the witnesses.

The official of NLD (Mandalay Region branch) announced at the previous year's memorial that they had all the evidence needed to expose the Dapayin crime.

Under the supervision of the then State Peace and Development Council, thugs who were called Swan-Arr-Shin (Superhumans), members of Union Solidarity and Development Association (now the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party), convicts and monk imposters were involved in the incident, based on evidence uncovered. 

"If the government is willing to build peace and mutual trust, the case should have been made clear. We do not insist on legal action but on getting to the bottom of what had happened. This is in line with a responsible government under democratic rule," a memorial participant said.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/memorial-service-for-2003-depayin-incident/