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18 years ago, on 13th March 1988, the peaceful demonstration of Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) students was brutally cracked down by the ruling authorities, Burmese Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) government led by General Ne Win who took the power by armed might on 2nd March, 1962.

The deaths of RIT students Ko Phone Maw (inside the campus on that day) and Ko Soe Naing (on March 15 in hospital) by military police gunshots were followed by a mass demonstration on the street led by students of higher education on 16th March 1988. The demonstration was again brutally cracked down by government’s troops, resulting in the deaths of innocent students and hundreds of students in prison .

The student bloods were shed on the street and around the White-Bridge - about 500 meters away from the Rangoon University (main campus) - beside the Inya Lake. (Later then the White-Bridge is called as the Red-Bridge). Another demonstration on 17th March 1988 culminated in the deaths of many students, mainly in closed conveyances used to truck the arrested students to the Insein prison.

Despite such brutal oppression by the authorities, students made uprisings again and again that year eventually leading up to the great 8888 country-wide massive people power movement and bringing down the socialist dictatorship successfully.

Since then, March 13 has been commemorated every year as Burma's Human Rights Day.

But, unfortunately, the down fall of socialist regime did not give our people a chance to enjoy democracy and human rights, as more brutal military regime took over power as soon as the socialist regime collapsed.

So, this year we are reaching the 18th Anniversary of the Red Bridge student uprising without any glimpse of victory visible in the near future. Meanwhile, the students' democracy revolutionary army, All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), is struggling in Thai-Burma border region with the remaining a few hundred student soldiers. And, student leaders feeling frustrated with the political deadlock are calling to reinvigorate the student army to prepare for an armed struggle; but they need the crucial cooperation on the ground from the ethnic guerrilla forces.

What is happening is some ethnic groups are blaming NLD for lack of cooperation while they themselves are facing criticism from ABSDF for lack of assistance for the student fighters.

As grass-root supporters, we can just wish here that NLD, ethnic groups and the student army may be able to build mutual trust and understanding very soon in the near future.

Dr. Tayza

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Comments

Kanghyun Lee said _

                         Can your groups get together somewhere in safe and discuss about future cooperation and collaboration for your common goal of democracy?

Khin Khin Cho said _

I always encourage you and I want you always have energy because you have to go for the future.

Tomorrow never dies. Your goal of democracy is like tomorrow; I believe your goal of democracy will never fail.

Your Comments here_