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 hishometown 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 KhaingRaza, colonel Saw Tun, majorRan Nai, captain Lin Zang Khaing and  twoKaren 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 ledby former guerrillas who fought alongsideGen 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 politicalprisoners and locals.

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

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

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

"Gen Khaing Raza was a freedom fighter who sacrificed his life for the independence of Arakan. The futuregeneration 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 andnational equality in Rakhine State.

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

Colonel Saw Tun andmajor Ran Nai along with some senior Indianofficers came to Portblair in a fighter plane from the military base in New Delhi and shockingly both ofthem too were killed.Additionally 34  Arakanese and Karen comrades werearrested by the Indias authorityand they were imprisoned for 13 years.