- Title: MYANMAR-STUDENTS/RALLY Myanmar marks anniversary of 1962 student uprising
- Date: 7th July 2015
- Summary: YANGON, MYANMAR, (JULY 7, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** STUDENTS GATHERING AND SINGING MEMORIAL SONG AT UNIVERSITY OF YANGON VARIOUS OF STUDENTS SINGING PEOPLE SINGING
- Embargoed: 22nd July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Myanmar
- Country: Burma (Myanmar)
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA3DV3I3EFN2V94SE73RLUTS56G
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Dozens of students marched across Myanmar's largest city Yangon on Monday (July 7) to mark the 53rd anniversary of the military's suppression of student protests.
Dozens of students were killed in 1962 when the military junta under the then leader Ne Win crushed demonstrations in 1962. The authorities used dynamite to blow up the students' union building of Rangoon University -- now called the University of Yangon.
Protester Su Yadana Myint said the students who lost their lives must never be forgotten.
"There are people who want to hide this unfair crackdown in our history. But we, the students, should remember the souls of students who passed away during the crackdown, so we won't forget this," she said.
Others said despite a civilian government, they still lived under the threat of military influence.
"During Ne Wins' times, students died in the student union building. It is the same now, students face arrests (if they protest) and some are still on the run. We are still under military government," said student Thitsa.
The late General Ne Win seized power in 1962 to usher in 49 years of authoritarian army rule in the country, formerly known as Burma.
The march was led by All Burma Federation of Student Unions.
Myanmar emerged from military rule in 2011 and now has a quasi-civilian government. But its 2008 constitution reserves a quarter of parliamentary seats for unelected members of the military.
Any proposed change to the constitution must win support from at least 75 percent of lawmakers, giving the military an effective veto power. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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