A memorial service will be observed marking the 36th anniversary of the hanging of Salai Tin Maung Oo one of the first student leaders to be killed by the Burmese military dictatorship led by U Ne Win. The programme will be held by pro-democracy activists in New Delhi, the capital of India.
An extraordinary meeting was held by the Chin Community Network (CCN), Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) and Chin Students Union (CSU) in Delhi to plan the memorial service.
“The planning is being done and the Chin community was asked for their support, ” said Salai Ni Lian Sang, a member of CSU.
Salai Ni Lian Sang told Khonumthung that Salai Tin Maung Oo, was the first student leader to be assassinated during the Burmese democracy movement by the military regime. The memorial service is to be observed for the new generation to understand and become aware of his bravery, leadership skills and upright beliefs.
A brief history of Salai Tin Maung Oo led democracy movement will be also delivered and discussed in the memorial service by participants from respective community representatives.
“We have not received any information from abroad on observing the memorial service,. The memorial service of Salai Tin Maung Oo should be observed in various places by Chin people. The service is usually observed inside and outside the country by Chins,” said Salai Ni Lian Sang.
Former General Secretary of CLCC (Chin Literature and Culture Committee), Salai Tin Maung Oo, was secretly hanged to death at the age of 25 inside Burma’s Insein Prison with his these last word on his lips ” I will never kneel down to your military boots!”.
Salai Tin Maung Oo was hanged on 26 June 1976 in Insein prison of Rangoon, former capital of Burma secretly by the Burma Socialist Programme party led by U Ne win.
The 35th anniversary of Salai Tin Maung Oo’s assassination memorial service was also observed in Rangoon, Thai-Burma border, India and Canada by Burma’s democracy and human rights activists last year.