MEMBERS OF CULTURAL TROUPE KILLED I

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Subject: MEMBERS OF CULTURAL TROUPE KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT




Media Release
November 23, 1998


            MEMBERS OF CULTURAL TROUPE KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT

Four people from Kachin State in northern Burma were killed and
20 others sustained serious injuries when a jeep carrying them
was involved in an accident on November 11.  The group was
returning from a rehearsal for a rally organized by the Burmese
military regime.

The four killed were part of a 24-member Cultural Troupe from
Wynemaw town taking part in rehearsals for the opening ceremony
of a new bridge on November 14. The accident occurred on the
second day of rehearsals when their vehicle rolled over.

More than 25,000 local people were forced to participate in the
opening ceremony. In addition, members of the Union Solidarity
and Development Association, the Burmese Red Cross, the Fire
brigade, civil servants and several cultural troupes from the
area were required to take part. 

The opening of the bridge, known as Bala Minhtin, was attended by
the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC),
Senior General Than Shwe, and the country's military intelligence
chief Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt. 

All Burma Students' Democratic Front 


For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984