Myanmar commemorates fallen national heroes

Myanmar on Friday commemorates the 66th anniversary of the assassination of General Aung San and eight other national leaders.

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Myanmar Vice President Sai Mauk Kham arrives to pay his respects in honour of independence hero General Aung San and eight other leaders who were assassinated on July 19, 1947, as Myanmar marks the 66th anniversary of Martyrs' Day in Yangon. (AFP PHOTO/Soe Than WIN)



Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi pays her respects to her father General Aung San and eight other leaders who were assassinated on July 19, 1947. (AFP PHOTO)

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YANGON: Myanmar is commemorating the 66th anniversary of the assassination of General Aung San and eight other national leaders.

General Aung San, father of opposition MP, Aung San Suu Kyi was gunned down in 1947 at the age of 32.

He was among a group of fallen heroes who played a key role in Myanmar's struggle for independence.

This nondescript government office in Yangon is no longer operational but it was where political rivals killed General Aung San and eight others in 1947.

The men did not live to see Myanmar gain independence one year later.

To remember them, Myanmar held a memorial service at the Martyrs' Mausoleum.

Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham paid his respects in a ceremony which lasted about 10 minutes.

Others including the heroes' family members such as Aung San Suu Kyi also honoured the leaders.

Security around this Martyrs' Mausoleum is extremely tight with many police officers lining the streets and roads being cordoned off to allow dignitaries, diplomats and ambassadors and representatives from non-government organisations and political parties to pay their respects on this Martyrs' hill.

And it was only as recent as in the last two years did the government send its highest representative in the form of the Vice President to represent them at this commemoration ceremony to honour and remember them.

People from all over the country turned up to pay homage on this public holiday to remind themselves of the struggles the country's leaders endured to build this nation.

Earlier, at precisely 10.37am, the exact time when General Aung San and the rest were assassinated, cars on the streets stopped to sound their horns to commemorate one minute of silence for the fallen heroes.

- CNA/fa

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/19/myanmar-commemorates-fallen-national-heroes/