A press briefing concerning malicious acts of destructionists that caused the death and injury of innocent students and people and movement of internal and external destructive elements who handle the malicious acts, illegal motor vehicles without licence, and destructions at some regions of Myanmar caused by massive earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean was held at the Ministry of Information, Tuesday.
First, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan explained on deaths and injury of students and people which were caused by destructionists who were controlled by internal and external destructionist groups.
The minister said that each destructionist group is using external broadcasting stations, distributing leaflets inciting the public, internet website, instigations, propaganda and broadcasting incorrect news to destabilize the State and to frighten the public.
Now, it has been discovered that the destructionist groups are encouraging the terrorist groups to carry out destructive acts with malicious acts at the same time. Although eminent members of Burma Communist Party (BCP) sent instigative handouts for distribution, but the security units exposed them before they were distributed. According to the handouts, they had arranged to instigate target groups in the public, but the security units exposed the handouts, while the BCP remnants were planning to contact the local destructionists for distribution of the handouts.
Moreover, it has been found out that the Burma Communist Party increased underground political movements in 2004. The seized propaganda handouts are now being presented to the journalists so that they can study them.
The security units also obtained news items related to the training of 15 ABSDF trainees at Noboe refugee camp for explosive training, conducted by Moe Thu with the rank of Major on the other side of the border.
It has been discovered that the destructionists have planned to explode roads and bridges, airports, and dams and reservoirs, the infrastructures for development of the State. The destructive plan was controlled by Dr. Sein Win of NCGUB and to be supervised and carried out by Pyithit Nyunt Wai @ Maung Maung, Aung Zaw Moe of New Society Democratic Party, Tin Oo of NLD(LA), Lwan Ni and Ko Ko Naing of ABSDF.
Relating to the situation, although the Government has given priority on security, and carried out preventive measures against malicious acts, but failed to prevent some from occurring.
The security units exposed 4 unexploded bombs attached with battery and timing clock in vase No.7 under the middle lamp post of Pansodan overpass and Yangon Railway Station on 26th and 27th June 2004.
One mine exploded on the slope of Pansodan Railway Station at 3:30 A.M on 26th June, 2004 and the other exploded in the garden at the entrance to the upper class gate at 3:40 A.M and the third one exploded on the left side of the platform of Yangon Railway Station at 3:57 A.M.
There were no injuries and destruction in the 3 explosions. There was another time-bomb explosion on the edge of the garden near the petrol station in front of platform of ordinary class of Yangon Railway Station at 5:30 am on 27th June 2004. Some flower plants were destroyed because of the explosion.
After occurrence of these events, information has been obtained that two American citizens conducted a training course for special operations and mine explosion for Political Defiance Committee (PDC), and New Society Democratic Party.
NCGUB @ National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, All Burma Students’ Democratic Front and NCUB carried out explosions and other destructive acts.
Responsible officials increased security measures day and night at roads and bridges, dams and reservoirs, buildings and the public places.
Under these measures, some of the malicious acts were exposed and prevented, while some occurred because they could not be prevented.
The security members of Myainggalay Police Station, under information, searched the house of Sein Aung Lin @ Ah Lin of Dan La Kone ward in Hlakar village, Pa-an Township in Kayin State on 15th November 2004. They discovered and seized 1,652 AK-47 bullets, 14 long magazines, one short magazine, seven 79 mm shells, nine 91 hand grenades, six 88 hand grenades, one unknown brand of hand grenade and 14 fuses.
A local made mine exploded near the gate of Khin Nane Mu joint inspection in Kawkareik, Kayin State at 10:00 am on 22nd November 2004. Five inspection members were injured in the explosion.
An explosion occurred in a paper box which the two destructionists had left at Zawgyi Restaurant, No. 367, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan Township, Yangon Division on 21st December 2004. A worker working in the restaurant was slightly injured, as was published in the news papers.
According to investigation, a 9 inches AIKO brand clock, 5 apples, 5 Landon brand soaps, 5 vitamin power soft drink bottles made in Myanmar and pieces of a woolen toy were found in the carton box.
An another incident was deterred due to the information sent by a security alert person, relating with the explosion which occurred at Zawgyi House Restaurant.
The incident was that of a 45-year old man who hired a taxi with the licence plate No. Da/4197 driven by U Aung Myint Swe in front of Nay Pyi Daw Cinema Hall on Sule Pagoda Road in Kyauktada Township in Yangon at about 1 pm on 21st December 2004 and left a Polo Club brand baggage, a blue plastic basket and a plastic bag in the car. He then left the car saying that he wanted to buy purified drinking water. As he didn’t come back to the car unitl 2:15 pm, driver U Aung Myint Swe went and reported to Kyauktada Police Station and the materials he left behind were cheeked. The police found a jean shirt, a longyi in the Polo Club brand baggage and a pink plastic Tiffin carrier including a wire and a detonator in the plastic bag.
After investigation by respective arms and explosive expert team, it was found out that it was a local made time bomb installed by battery, 5.2 cm long detonator and 6 cm diameter explosives in a small pencil box which was put in the Tiffin carrier and a switch was to be used as the clock’s timing device.
The following plastic explosives included in the time bomb could not be purchased locally but could be found in border areas or abroad. It has no smell when exploding. As soon as the explosion occurred at Zaw Gyi House Restaurant, the officials concerned inspected the explosion and found out, there was no smell.
Accordingly, the previous time bomb was also made of plastic explosives. It is reviewed that those who attended the explosion training course made such kind of time bombs systematically in border areas and brought them into the country.
After the explosions in Yangon, an explosion occurred at Myauk Min SportsWare Shop in front of Aung Than Lwin Sports grounds in Pa-an, Kayin State at 11:55 am on 24th December 2004.
The explosion caused, 20 years old Sa Aung Myo Myat @ Myo Myo, son of U Mann Aung Lwin, first year student of the University of Distance Learning, living at Tada Oo Ward, in KawtKaReik to die on the spot with injuries to his face, chest, and womb, cutting of his wrist and knee.
19 years old Chit Nyi Nyi, son of U Maung Maung Aye, 19 years old Aung Soe Moe, son of U Soe Hlaing who are living in Kawtkareik and 17 years old Win Phone Kyaw, son of U Kyaw Nyunt were also injured and received medical treatment at Pa-an hospital.
That incident that occurred on 24th December, 2004 Sa Aung Myo Myat, Chit Nyi Nyi and Aung Soe Moe who were selected footballers of Kayin State Students football team went to Pa-an by Kawtkareik-Pa-an passenger hilux car with No. 9.Ka/1354 to attend the Students Sports Festival held at Aung Than Lwin Sports ground in Pa-an. On arrival at the front of the Sport ground, they get off the car together with other passengers and proceeded to Myauk Min Sportsware shop. At that moment, the conductor San Htwe @ Shan Boat followed them and gave a radio cassette recorder saying that it was left in the car.
As their curiosity were aroused, they pressed a button on the recorder which triggered the explosion.
Concerning the Pa-an explosion incident, 28 year old conductor San Htwe @ ShanBoat of Kawtkareik was apprehended and questioned at once.
According to the investigation, San Htwe @ ShanBoat studied explosion activities at explosion courses conducted at a locally known Sho Camp in the border region where the ABSDF Camp is situated. Sho Camp is managed and controlled by Saw Kyaw Lay @ Saw ThaMuHe` who has the position of Captain.
Kyaw Lay @ Saw Kyaw Lay met San Htwe @ ShaBoat at KhinNameMu Gate at 3:00 pm on 22nd November for the first time, and gave the ready made mine to be exploded by remote control, asking him to set the mine at KhinNameMu Gate. ShanBoat set the mine near the drain behind a tree, and exploded it by remote control from Kawtkareik Cemetery at 10:00 am.
On 21st December, Kyaw Lay @ Saw Kyaw Lay sent his follower Maung Kyaw to ShanBoat and told him that on 23rd December, he will be sending explosives with SawTaMu. He instructed him to use these explosives at the Sports Competition which will be held at the Aung ThanLwin Sports Ground in Pa-an.
Under the supervision of Kyaw Lay @ Saw Kyaw Lay, San Htwe @ ShanBoat met Saw TaMu at 6:30 pm on the 23rd of December and accepted the explosives, and hid them under the sand, at the corner of the Kawkareik football ground. And around 5:40 am on 24th December, he went and dug up the pack of explosives, put it in a bag and left it 100 yards from AmayEin Tea Shop. While the drivers were having tea, he put the explosives into a PP bag and then hid it in the car and threw away the original bag.
When he arrived near the Aung ThanLwin sports ground in Pa-an, he met 3 selected State level football players, and targeted them, to be his victims.
He then went after Sa Aung Myo Myat, and the other two footballers, and gave them the PP bag. Later, when the 3 footballers went into Myaut Min Sportsware Shop, and took out the cassette-recorder from the PP bag, and pushed a button on the recorder, an explosion occurred.
According to the investigation, Saw Kyaw Lay @ Maung Kyaw @ Saw Thamu He` who is a ABSDF’s Company Commander of No.2 Company of No.9 Regiment. His Commanding Officer is Saw Kyi Lin who stays most of the time in the neighbouring country.
The AFP News Agency had broadcasted that the bomb explosion at Zawgi Restaurant on 23rd December was the act of the Vigorous Burmese Students Warriors. The Voice of America broadcasted on 6 am, 24th of December that the VBSW group had warned that if Daw Su Kyi and all the political detainees were not released and if the State’s Powers were not handed over to the NLD, there will be further destruction as mentioned by AFP News Agency.
The VBSW group was the terrorist group which raided the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand on the 1st October 1999, posing as persons applying for visa. This destructive act was carried out by Johnny @ Kyaw Oo of ABSDF No. 210 Regiment who led the group with the help of BayDar @ Myint Thein and Swe Min of the same group, TharNge of Kayin Terrorist group and a Kayin youth of God’s Children Army.
On reviewing the mentioned information, incidents, men and material exhibits, it could be seen that members of NCGUB, NLD (LA), ABSDF and Vigorous Burmese Students Warriors and other destructive elements are carrying out malicious acts with the purpose to violate the stability of the State, to threaten the public, and to disturb the nation building endeavors.
Moreover, it is learnt that some political parties in the country made connections with NCGUB, ABSDF, Armed Insurgent Ywat Sit Group and other destructive elements residing in border areas under the disguise of democracy and human rights, Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan explained.
Afterwards, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force, Brig-Gen Khin Ye reported on the situation of motor vehicles without licence.
He said that, as law abiding citizens, he urged those concerned to handover those vehicles till 31st March 2005, as the latest. As it has been acknowledged before, no action will be taken if the owners handover their vehicles before 31st March 2005. He added that, only the cars will be confiscated.
But, if they find out vehicles without licence after 31st March 2005, he said,
§ Vehicles will be confiscated by the State and actions will be taken against the owners
§ If vehicles have been found donated to religious associations, actions will be taken against the donors
§ Abandoning of the vehicles, removing car parts, or throwing away these vehicles will result in actions taken against the owners
Later, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein explained about the massive earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean that caused destruction in some regions of Myanmar. He said, at 07:32:04 hour Myanmar Standard Time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9 on the Richter Scale, and its epicenter, 1,000 miles Northwest of Jakarta, Indonesia, took place and later on 9 quakes with intensities of 6 also took place in the Andaman Sea.
The 8th earthquake with a 6.0 intensity took place 60 miles, Southwest of Coco Island and the 9th with a 7.3 intensity, at 400 miles South of Coco Island.
Due to these quakes some buildings collapsed, 200 people were made homeless in 17 villages in Coastal regions. Due to tidal waves, 34 people were killed, 45 injured and 25 reported missing in Taninthayi, Yangon, Bago and Ayeyarwaddy Divisions, Rakhine and Shan (South) States.
Chairman of Ayeyarwaddy Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing and Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and acting Director-General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Tin Win Maung and party visited the quake-hit areas and coordinated essentials.
And the Chairmen of State and Division Peace and Development Councils in respective quake-hit areas and visited their respective quake-hit areas and are coordinating essentials and providing assistance.
Later, journalists asked questions where Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and officials replied to the queries. The press conference ended in the evening.
After the press conference, Minister, Deputy Ministers and journalists viewed photos, documents and pamphlets of those who instigated to arouse riots, photos of bomb blast in “Myauk Min” sportswear shop in front of Aung ThanLwin sports ground in Pa-an, photo of bomb blast in Zawygi house in Bogyoke Aung San Road in Yangon, bomb blast in Yangon Railway Station and the finding of unexploded bombs, documents on bomb blasting during 2004, photos of insurgents raiding Myanma Embassy in Thailand on 1st November 1999, terrorist acts of Vigorous Burmese Students Warriors (VBSW) and photos taken by Aitasean-Burma based in Thailand concerning Myanmar.
