Exiled opposition groups commemorate Dipeyin incident

DVB ( 31 October 2003 )

It has been five months since the notorious Dipeyin (Tabayin) incident occurred in upper Burma. A convoy of NLD members and supporters including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were attacked in an apparently orchestrated ambush by the SPDC-sponsored thugs.

Scores of people were killed during the brutal assault and many were wounded and arrested later.

Exiled Burmese in Bangkok commemorated the event by offering prayer for the departed souls today (30 October). They planned to stage a protest in front of the Burmese embassy but they were not given the permission by the Thai authority.

The prayer meeting was attended by NLD members, Burmese students and workers. Daw Khin Sann Nwe, one of NLD members in exile said that the military authorities in Burma are creating anti-Muslim riots at the moment so as to divert the attention of the people from Dipeyin incident and other political situations in Burma.

A similar ceremony was held in Japan by Burmese exiles led by NLD (Liberated Area). They have also been staging protests in front of the Burmese embassy in Tokyo on every working day since the end of May when the incident occurred.

Many NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo are still being detained and imprisoned by the SPDC and their offices are being closed down. The health conditions of some of those who were badly wounded during the attack are also said to be deteriorating.