Delayed reports suggest that the SPDC summoned 250 people from each village in Matupi Township, Chin State on February 11 to demonstrate against the banned CNA. Around 10,000 people reportedly gathered at the state sponsored rally in Matupi, the second capital of Chin state.

The people were summoned on the orders of Tactical II Commander, Colonel San Aung, for the rally on the Indo-Burma border.

They were forced to shout slogans, accusing the CNA of perpetrating the Matupi football match tragedy in June 2005.

The gathering was reportedly coerced into shouting slogans like –

" Deaths and injuries in the Matupi football match incident were the CNA’s doing";

" The CNA killed innocent people";

"Down with CNA".

Sources said, "We were afraid of military action if we disobeyed the summons."

A large crowd attended the rally. It was not possible to gauge the exact number of villagers participating in the rally.

Colonel San Aug forced the people to attend the rally because his wife was injured in the shoot out during the Matupi football match, sources added.

A woman who participated in the rally told "Asian Tribune", "The Tactical II Commander wanted to show that the shooting during the Matupi football match was not the work of Burmese soldiers. However, people believe it was the handiwork of the Burmese Army because there were onlookers who saw Burmese soldiers shooting at the people. Most people blame the Burmese Army for the incident."

Matupi residents had to host eight to 10 guests per household as a huge number people gathered for the rally. The rally organizers reportedly paid for food and lodging.

CNA had released a press statement stating that the armed group was not responsible for the Matupi football match tragedy. Meanwhile, people watching the football match testified that Burmese soldiers were shooting at the people. The military junta, however, continues to blame the CNA.

The forced rally is reportedly the first public rally in Matupi since the town was officially recognized as the second capital of Chin state.

Source: Asian Tribune