ABFSU

Ko Ko Win

Hot:

(October 24, 2007/ 21 yrs)

After 1962, there have been numerous democracy movements in Burma and the military regime has used brutal methods to suppress all the uprisings. As a result, many lives have been sacrificed.

During the recent September uprising, also popularly known as the Saffron Revolution, many ordinary people turned into heroes. Among them was Ko Ko Win, 21 years old, the eldest son of U Htay U and Daw Win Win Myint from South Oakkalapa Township, Rangoon. Ko Ko Win was actively involved in the Saffron Revolution alongside the monks. On the 27th of September, 2007, he was brutally beaten by the police (lone-htane) at the foot of the Shwe Da Gone Pagoda and received serious injuries to the head, shoulders and chest.

Though he was given medical treatment at a nearby clinic from the 30th of September to the 14th of October, his condition did not improve. He was then sent to Thin Gan Kyun Hospital for treatment, but eventually died from his head injuries on the 3rd of November, 2007.

When will Burma obtain its freedom? Until then, it seems inevitable that more lives will have to be lost.

(Source: Aryone Thit Newsletter/ Jan 4, 2008/ Pg.9)

Thet Paing Soe

Hot:

(September 27, 2007/ 16 yrs/ NLD Youth)

Maung Thet Paing Soe (aka) Ka-Lar-Ma-Gyi, participated in the Saffron revolution, led by the monks. On the 10th day of Saffron revolution, Thet Paing Soe carried a T-shirt that said “Free Aung San Su Kyi” and walked among the front row of marching protestors. When they reached in front of Tar Mway High School No. (3), the soldiers from Battalion 66 used violence to break up the crowd. As a result, Thet Paing Soe was hit by a bullet at left temple area and died on the spot. The soldiers kicked his dead body into the drain after taking his money and bag.

Thet Paing Soe was from Daw Pone Township and was the youngest son of U Myint Win and Daw Aye Pyone. He was only 15 years old and 4 months at the time of death. He was a student at Daw Pone High School No. (1) and had to quit school due to family’s financial difficulties. He was also an active member of NLD Youth wing in Daw Pone Township.

(Source: Aryone Thit Newsletter/ Jan 4, 2008/ Pg.9)

Win Maw Oo

Hot:

(September 19, 1988/ 16 yrs old/ S.H.S 2, Latha)

Win Maw Oo was a high-school student who was shot dead by Burmese soldiers during the 1988 student protests. She was one of the hundreds of protestors killed in Rangoon after the military coup of the 18th of September, 1988. “I got a phone call from the hospital. She was still conscious at the time,” Win Maw Oo’s father, Win Kyu, recounted how he learnt of his daughter’s fate. “She gave them the names of her father and mother, and home address and telephone number. At the hospital, after the operations, she was put in the intensive-care room. She was unconscious. I had to go to retrieve her body from a doctor. I asked the cause of her death. The doctor told me it was due to shrapnel wounds. Only then was I able to retrieve her body. I was told to bury her within 24 hours. I also had to sign a pledge saying that she was not involved in [political] activities. Her younger sisters and brothers weren’t able to see her when we buried her. At the funeral, there were only 25 people at most. We had to do it behind locked doors.”

“I still miss my daughter every day,” says Win Maw Oo’s mother, Khin Htay Htay Win. “Today, I want to cry the way my daughter cried. They said that they shot in the air, but they aimed straight at her. That’s why she died straight away. In my heart, I know my daughter did it for her country; she gave up her life for the country.”

(Source: http://hamarashakespeare.com/personalities.html)

(Photo: dvb.no, Burma’s Revolution of the Spirit)

Salai Tin Maung Oo

Hot:

(June 26, 1976)

“Comrades! They are killing me without letting the people know.” “I shall never kneel down under your military boots”

The historic testimonial words of Tin Maung Oo, a student leader of Rangoon University’s demonstration (1974-75).

January the 3rd, 1974: Salai Tin Maung Oo gave an impressive and moving speech about the importance of unity, especially during critical times. After that he was unanimously appointed General Secretary of the CLCC, Chin Literature and Cultural Committee.

June the 6th, 1974: The Socialist Constitution’s Article 9 led six months later to the provocation of general worker’s strikes to challenge the constitution. The Burmese Army responded with gunfire on June the 6th and 7th, killing workers and students.

When the former Secretary General of the United Nations, U Thant died in New York, his remains were flown back to Rangoon to be buried there according to his last wishes. Salai Tin Maung Oo, led a people’s demonstration movement, out of respect for U Thant.

December the 5th, 1974: Hundreds of students marched towards Kyaikasan stadium to pay their last respects to U Thant. Among the mourners were Buddhist monks. Ko Kyi Win, Salai Tin Maung Oo, and other student leaders announced that U Thant’s funeral procession was to be taken over by the students and honoured with a mausoleum and an official state funeral.

After the U Thant affair, he went to underground. He established an underground student union, underwent military training in the liberated area of the Parliamentary Democracy Party, and then returned to Rangoon where he was arrested, and sentenced to death. He was hanged on June the26th, 1976 at the infamous Insein prison. He is the only student to be hanged by the government in Burmese political history.

(Source: www.chinforum.org/PUBS/TMOEng.pdf)

Bo Aung Kyaw

Hot:

(December 22, 1938/ 1:30 p.m/ Judson College)

During the third university boycott, on December the 20th, 1938, students gathered since early morning at the RUSU building. There were 26 buses in front of the building, many people didn’t know yet that the ABSU leaders planned to defy act 144. At 8.15, Ko Hla Shwe gave a speech to the students and said, “Your facial expression are very patriotic and nationalistic, I believe that you are ready to give your right arm for our cause. You seem don’t care if you are killed or jailed. I believe your zeal. Today we will defy the government’s unjust law. Don’t bring a needle – we won’t use even a needle as a weapon.” The students were very excited and shouted “Let’s go now”. There were 8,000 students. They marched downtown. In fact, the students didn’t know where they were going; it was still a secret. Only EC members knew the plan. When the students were at the Government Secretariat building and encircling it, the students realized their leaders’ plan. The students stood around the office so that no one could enter or leave.
The British forces didn’t know how to handle it, and they looked ludicrous. Students were shouting “We shall overcome”, and “We are the masters of our country” etc. When the Police Commissioner gave an order to the police to disperse the crowd, the police dragged them and kicked them with their boots. Some students were injured and some were angry, but student leaders warned that they should be patient and not fight back in any way, warning them not to turn to violence.
At 10 am, the police encircled the students. At 11 o’clock, deputy commissioner U Po Sa came and the police withdrew within half an hour. Many people came and provided food and water etc for the students. Later, the students decided to return Rangoon University, and departed from the office. However, they came across the police on the way to the University, and the police wouldn’t allow the students to go forward. There was tension between the students and the police. The students tried to pass by the police, but were beaten with batons. Members of the public who were watching and supporting the students were also beaten by the police. The police ruthlessly rained blows on the students. Many students fell to the ground. Some tried to run away from there and escape, but they were chased and beaten to death by police. Many people and students were injured, including Ko Aung Kyaw. His head was smashed by a police truncheon. Later he was died of his injuries. After he died, he was called “Bo Aung Kyaw”. He was the first student to be killed by the police in Burmese history.