General Khaing Raza remembered in hometown Minbya

Narinjara News, 11 February 2023

A memorial ceremony for General Khaing Raza, leader of the Rakhine revolution- who was killed by the Indian army personnel in cold blood- was organised in his hometown Minbya, located in the central part of Rakhine State.

About 500 people participated in the program on 11 February to pay respect to the martyrs.

Four leaders of National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) including Gen Khaing Raza, colonel Saw Tun, major Ran Nai, captain Lin Zang Khaing and  two Karen National Union (KNU) leaders namely phado Moo Lai, major Saw Myint were also killed.

The ceremony began at 7 am and continued till 10:30 am at Cho Chaung village in Minbya township. It was led by former guerrillas who fought alongside Gen Khaing Raza.

It was also attended by a number of monks, writers, officials of the Arakan Army and  former guerrillas, representatives of civil society organizations, former political prisoners and locals.

“A speech about Gen Khaing Raza and his sacrifice for the Rakhine people was delivered. It analysed the incident where the Indian armed forces killed him along with other leaders even though they had no enmity with India,” said a leading organiser.

He also asserted that India should consider the Arakanese people as friends, as there is a long history of good relationship between India and Arakan since the days of the great Arakanese kings. He also urged New Delhi to support the Arakanese movement and the initiative to democratise Burma.

The organisers also sang the Arakan nationalist anthem describing the valour and sacrifice of Gen Khaing Raza.

"Gen Khaing Raza was a freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for the independence of Arakan. The future generation will adore him as a martyr,” said a speaker.

Gen Khaing Raza led the AA in its revolutionary struggle for the right to self-determination, governance and national equality in Rakhine State.

On 11 February 1998, six leaders of were assassinated when they were working on a small naval base in Landfall island following an agreement with the Indian authorities.

Colonel Saw Tun and major Ran Nai along with some senior Indian officers came to Portblair in a fighter plane from the military base in New Delhi and shockingly both of them too were killed.Additionally 34  Arakanese and Karen comrades were arrested by the Indias authority and they were imprisoned for 13 years.