Martyrs’ Day: Why is the day celebrated in Myanmar?

Martyrs’ Day: Why is the day celebrated in Myanmar?

New Delhi: Every year on July 19, Martyrs’ Day is observed in Myanmar to commemorate the assassination of General Aung San and seven other leaders of the pre-independence interim government, and one bodyguard on that day in 1947. Each year, officials who are serving in the high ranks of the government visit Yangon’s Martyrs’ Mausoleum to pay respects. In this article, we will learn more about this day.

What happened on that day in 1947?

On the morning of July 19, 1947, a group of men assassinated several independence leaders of Myanmar (then known as Burma) while the leaders were in a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat in downtown Yangon. According to reports, a rival political group planned the assassinations and it was masterminded by the leader of that group, Galon U Saw. A special tribunal convicted him and other perpetrators and Kyaw Myint presided over the tribunal with two other Barristers-at-law, Si Bu and Aung Thar Gyaw. In the judgement, Saw and a few others were given death sentences with the rest of the people got prison sentences.

Even though Saw and other perpetrators appealed to the High Court of Burma, it was rejected and also, the Supreme Court refused leave to appeal against the original judgment. Even Sao Shwe Thaik, the President of Burma refused to pardon their sentences and Saw waMants hanged on May 8, 1948, inside Rangoon’s Insein jail. Many other perpetrators were hanged while minor perpetrators, who were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, also spent several years in prison.

Notably, leaders like Tin Tut and Kyaw Nyein were absent from the meeting during the assassination and an attempt was also made on U Nu, who was the Deputy Speaker and was on a leave of absence. According to reports, many people in the country believed that the British had a hand in the assassination plot. At that time, the police arrested two British officers and charged and convicted one of them for supplying an agent of U Saw with arms and munitions. It was a huge stockpile, so much that it could equip even a small army.

Following the assassinations, the last British Governor of Burma, Major General Sir Hubert Rance appointed U Nu to head an interim administration and on January 4, 1948, Burma became independent and Nu became the first PM of the country.

 Following the assassinations, the last British Governor of Burma, Major General Sir Hubert Rance appointed U Nu to head an interim administration and on January 4, 1948, Burma became independent.   knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge