[ 18 - 4 - 2002 ]

A Time Bomb Exploded on Bogyoke Road Ward No.1, Myawaddy at 16:15 hours on 15 April 2002.

A press conference with local and foreign journalists was held at Tatmadaw guest house on Inya Road here at 1 pm today. As explained by Lt-Col San Pwint at the briefing, On the third day of the "Thingyan" Water Festival, 15 April 2002 at 4.15 p.m. an incident occurred where a time-bomb placed on a "pedicab" exploded on Bogyoke Road in front of the "Swe Sone" Restaurant and Thein Kaba Tea Shop in Ward No.1 of the border town of Myawaddy.

In the explosion altogether 5 people consisting of the pedicab driver Tun Win and passengers Esoof (a) Soe Aung (age 33), Pashi (age 14) and another man still unidentified and Ma Win (age 27) a woman worker at a cheroot factory who was walking nearby were killed on the spot with mortal injuries that fragmented their bodies. Moreover 31 Thingyan revellers, all civilians, some, happily throwing water and some enjoying snacks were seriously injured and were taken to Myawaddy hospital for treatment. Fifteen of then had to be admitted as in-patients for treatment and 16 as outpatients. Of the 15 in-patients, two are said to be in serious condition. Authorities who visited and inspected the location of the explosion found scraps of yellow cloth and pieces of tin from a can, which led them to conclude that it must have been a time bomb.

Investigations into the bomb explosion produced evidence that the KNU terrorist group of "Maidaw Village" took the lead and principal role and connived with members of the Muslim terrorist insurgents ABMU and the Democratic Alliance Burma (DAB). Three male Muslim merchants and two women first attended a meeting with the KNU to plot an act of terror. At the meeting they expressed dissatisfaction with the Border Inspection and Supervision Company in charge of taking systematic action against smuggling of banned commodities according to existing regulations. They then discussed various schemes on how to frighten the people of Myawaddy and decided on exploding a bomb. After consultations and coordination the KNU made necessary arrangements to carry out their plot. They deliberately chose the second day of the water festival when the town would be crowded with revellers in order to heighten fear and panic among the people. The explosive team was thus dispatched on 15 April, the second day of Thingyan via Maesot in Thailand.
 

Thai newspapers carried reports that the KNU has denied responsibility for the bomb explosion saying they had no hand in it. But the information obtained provides explicit proof that the orders to explode the bomb and cause havoc in Myawaddy came straight from the Central headquarters of the KNU. Accounts of recent terrorist activities in the Myawaddy region are hereby provided for the information of correspondents present.

On 26 February 2002 a group KNU insurgents lying in wait attacked a Hilux vehicle carrying passengers travelling from Myawaddy to Kawkareik by planting a mine on the road killing two passengers and wounding 3 others.
 

On 2 March they exploded a time bomb near the garment factory in Myawaddy.

On 14 March a group of about 40 KNU insurgents of No.4 Brigade from a position in Thai territory, fired small arms and heavy weapons across the Myanmar-Thai boundary on Kokko village within Myanmar territory. Four innocent villagers were seriously wounded and 54 households were burned down and destroyed in the attack.
 

Likewise on 30 March a time bomb that was planted at the Mogok Gateway was fortunately discovered and disarmed in time. The events recounted above are only a few of the terrorist attacks that have been committed in the Myawaddy region recently. In actual fact many more acts of violence are being committed by the KNU in other border regions as well.
 

There can be no doubt that plans preparations to commit such an act of savagery are initiated and carried out by the KNU insurgents. To commit such a violent crime as to cause injury and bring misery to innocent citizens enjoying themselves during the traditional Myanmar Thingyan Festival is thus a despicable and inhuman act.

 

Lt-Col San Pwint replied to the queries raised by local and foreign journalists. The press conference ended at 1.45 pm.

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