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The unscrupulous persons and unsavoury elements bad instigated the students throughout the period of disturbances in Myanmar history by using such phrases as "the leaders of the revolution", "the vanguard of the revolution", "the democratic revolution launched by the students" and 'the revolution which will open a glorious chapter in the history of the world" and so on. Those who instigated the students lost neither a drop of sweat nor a drop of blood as they stayed in the safe confines of their homes but the students and yoouths used lot a of sweat and a lot of blood and had to run away from their homes and ended up in the jungle with their lives in ruin. As I am a parent with the aim of to prevent such agitations in furture and not to put our children (the students and youths) into more trouble by unscrupulous persons and unsavoury elements with rumours and fabricated stories and news. With Cetana Khin Zaw Related Links |
| Tears of joy
Instigations by unscrupulous elements sent students and youth on the wrong path |
| Reference: Reproduction
of an article Absconding students arriving back from Tak acknowledge the
'metta' and 'cetana' of the Government" in Working People's Daily
5th January 1989", Story and Photos By Htwe Kyi
26th December 1988 It had been 25 minutes since the two special aircraft of the Tatmadaw (Military) left Rangoon Airport as 8.40 am. I was on the first aircraft. On looking down through the window, I saw a town and an airfield. I leaned forward and asked a sergent of the Air Force sitting in front of me what was the town below. To this he replied that- it was Maesok. I knew then that we had entered Thailand. The aircraft flying towards Tak in Thailand. The purpose of coming to Tak was to take back some Myanmar students and youth from the reception camp. These students had absconded to the Thai side due to instigation by unscrupulous elements. These students and youth were now being looked after at Tak reception camp. This was made possible under the mutual agreement between the Thai Government and the Myanmar Government and the joint co-operation between the Thai Red Cross and the Myanmar Red Cross. “ Welcome Myanmar Students”
Our aircraft landed at Tak airfield at 9.35 am. Thai military personnel, Tak Red Cross members and Myanmar Red Cross members welcomed us; at the airfield. Stepping outside the airfield building I saw a huge signboard on the other side of the motor road. On it, written both in Myanmar and Thai were the words, “Welcome Myanmar Students”. The huge red crosses on the roofs of tarpaulin tents could be seen clearly from a distance.
Soon after our arrival, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Nyunt Swe arrived by Thai military aircraft from Bangkok. The Myanmar Ambassador was accompanied by Military Attaché Col Ba Hein, Third Secretary U Thit Lwin, Director of Signals of the Ministry of Defence Col Myo Thant, Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Col Than Tun. They went to the students at the camp and greeted them. There were altogether 117 students and youths at the camp. There were looks of helplessness and anxiety on their faces. (Photo - A member of the Tak Province Red Cross Scott presents garlands to a Myanmar student.) “Warm and cordial
“We have come to fetch you back, sons. But it is not by force. Those who do not wish to go back yet may stay behind. There is no plan whatsoever to arrest you. Arrangements have been made to take you back safely to your homes," said the Myanmar Ambassador with warmth and cordiality. I instantly knew then by looking at their faces that the students and youths felt relieved. Tak Province Red Cross had looked after the Myanmar students and youths well. At 1 pm, Myanmar students emerged from their reception camp and proceeded to Tak airfield. They marched in file with the Union Flag fluttering high in the wind.
A sending-off ceremony was held in front of the Tak airfield building. On hand to see them off were Myanmar' Ambassador to Thailand U Nyunt Swe, Military Attache Col Ba Hein, Third Secretary U Thit Lwin, Tak Province Governor and Red Cross Society President Mr. Soomboon Purommeth, Camp Commander Maj-Gen Prouprasert Ckulasavor, Tak Province Red Cross Society Vice-President Mrs Poonari Jaisai and members, nurses of the medical clinic of the reception camp and Myanmar Red Cross Society members in Tak headed by Central Executive Committee member Dr Hla Nwe. At 1.38 pm, two aircraft carrying the Myanmar students and youths left Tak airfield in Thailand. Thirty-eight journalists from Thailand also came along in two aircraft of the Thai Air Force. Looking down - from high above, I could see long stretches of forests and mountain ranges. I began to think about the students coming back on the same flight with us, I wondered how their plight would have been in the jungles without being taken back under mutual agreement between- the Myanmar and Thai governments. I wondered how they would be if they were left to their fate running and hiding in the jungles with no one to rely on. Now, due to the metta and cetana of the governments' of the- two countries, their future has become secure. Suddenly, I was startled by a loud and joyous cry coming from a student youth, 'Down there is Myawaddy. We have arrived back in our country." There were smiles on the faces of the other students and youth. A student from Loikaw sitting beside me said, Uncle, are there students coming back like us? Didn't the government do anything to them? To this I replied, "Of course there are. They came by land. Those students were taken care of by Tatmadaw (Military) units nearby and they have been sent back to their parents. This is the first time that students are coming-back from Tak. "I'm so happy," he said.
Our aircraft landed at No 502 BAF Base at 2.40 pm. State Law and Order Restoration Council Secretary 1) Brig-Gen Khin Nyunt, director-general and Managing directors from departments and corporations, Rangoon Command Deputy Commander, No 502 BAF Base Commander and 100 Red Cross Brigade members, local and foreign journalists were on hand to welcome back the students.
From the No 502 BAF Base, the students were conveyed to the reception camp opened at Rangoon Command Headquarters Combined Mess in Mingaladon. On arrival at the reception camp, the students and youths were given a rousing welcome by Acting Tactical Operation Command Commander of Rangoon Command, members of the information committee of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Medical Services and family members of Rangoon- Command Headquarters with dobat music and dances.-.
As soon as the students and youths alighted from the cars, parents, relatives and friends ran forward to embrace their sons and their nephews. There were tears of joy on the faces of some of the students and their parents and relatives. One mother was heard muttering, "Oh! son, I thought you were dead. I can't express my happiness on seeing you back alive and well." Students and youths who had taken the wrong path due to the instigation of some unscrupulous elements have now come back to their parents safe and sound.
This has been possible due to the metta and cetana of the governments of the two countries. It is hoped that these students who have arrived back on the right path will serve the interests of the country in any way they can. 5 January 1989 |
