Kachinlandnews Portal's photo.
By KLN
Saturday, Aug 10, 2013
Kachin around the world observe Kachin Martyrs’ Day, commemorating KIO founders and fallen soldiers, on Aug 10, 2013. Prayer services and ceremonies were held in KIO administrative headquarter in Laiza and in major cities around the world to honor sacrificial services of fallen Kachin heros.
In the ceremony held at Rawt Ninghkawng hall in Laiza, Father Joseph Nbwi Naw led the opening prayer, Col. Maran Zau Tawng read out Martyrs Day’s message by KIO chairman and Lt. Col. Kumbu Yaw Ding delivered an opening message. About 700 KIO party members and KIA military personnel attended the ceremony. Similar ceremonies were held at various KIO-controlled areas and at major cities around the world where Kachin diaspora communities residing.
In his Martyrs’ Day message delivered across Kachin communities, KIO Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra said, “Kachin and other ethnic nationalities living in Kachin region made their upmost sacrifices for the cause of freedom. Because of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, we survive as a nation.” He said, “from the very beginning of the renewed war on June 9, 2011, not only Kachin but other ethnic nationalities living in Kachin and northern Shan State joined hands with KIO in fight against repressive regime.”
KIO Chairman warned in his message that the enemy is at work sowing seeds of discord among Kachin and other ethnic nationalities. He said the enemy seeks to drive a wedge between Kachin and Shan who have been living side by side for many centuries.
Chairman Zawng Hra urges all Kachin to stand united till political aspirations are fulfilled and accomplish the vision and goal of fallen comrades.
Kachin Martyrs’ Day is observed annually on the day that G.O.C Lahtaw Zau Seng, the founder and first leader of the KIO, was assassinated by a group led by Maran Seng Tu (or Tu Bung) at Htam Ngawp hill near Burma-Thailand border on August 10, 1975.
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