Memorial service marks death of Arakanese freedom fighter Maj-Gen Khaing Razar in native village

11 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 February 2023, Minbya

A memorial service marking the 25^th anniversary of the death of the commander-in-chief of the National Unity Party Arakan/Arakan Army (NUPA/AA), Major-General Khaing Razar, was held in his native Chaw Chaung village, Minbya Township, on Saturday morning.

The memorial service was organised by relatives and ex-colleagues of Khaing Razar, along with some former political prisoners.

“The main purpose of the memorial service was to inspire the younger generations to fight for the independence of Arakan State,” said one of the event organisers, U Myat Tun, who is also director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association. “There were restrictions on political events in the past. As the Arakan Army now has a certain control over Arakan State, we held the memorial service in his native [village].”

Some 500 people including local residents, relatives and former colleagues of Maj-Gen Khaing Razar attended the service.

“Previously, we could only hold the memorial service in neighbouring countries like Thailand, Bangladesh and India. We could organise it [in Myanmar] for the first time last year. This year’s memorial service is the second time,” said U Myat Tun.

In 1998, 27 Arakanese comrades including Maj-Gen Khaing Razar, and 13 Karen freedom fighters including a central committee member of the Karen National Union, went to Landfall Island in the Indian archipelago of Andaman for a meeting with Indian intelligence officials who would supposedlyallow them to build a base there. But instead, on February 11, 1998, Maj-Gen Khaing Razar and five other Arakanese and Karen leaders were assassinated by the Indian Navy.

Maj-Gen Khaing Razar was a good leader who sacrificed his life for the Arakan revolution, said one of his former comrades.

“Maj-Gen Khaing Razar is one of the leaders who risked their lives for revolution in the interests of others. Not only his contemporaries, but his juniors also acknowledge him as a leader. He is also recognised as a martyr after his death,” he said.

The NUPA/AA previously led by Maj-Gen Khaing Razar has disbanded and merged with the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army.

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Caption: A memorial service was held Saturday to mark the death of Maj-Gen Khaing Razar. (Photo: U Myat Tun)