Myanmar to prosecute soldiers over death of two civilians

Sep 10, 2010, 6:58 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar authorities have filed charges against soldiers for allegedly killing two civilians earlier this month in a bid to quell protests over the incident, media reports said Friday.

A lawsuit has been filed against soldiers who reportedly shot dead two young men in Bago, 80 kilometres north-east of Yangon, in the course of a drunken brawl on September 4, The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

The fight reportedly broke out between two soldiers and seven Bago residents after their three-wheel taxis collided Saturday night, prompting the civilians, who were reportedly intoxicated, to beat up the officers, who had also been drinking.

Reinforcements were called in who fired on the civilians, killing Maung Soe Paing Zaw, 17, and Maung Aung Thu Hein, 21, the government mouthpiece said.

'Officers concerned called at the houses of the two victims to beg the pardon of their parents,' the newspaper reported, adding that the Myanmar military maintained a tradition of punishing servicemen who commit offences.

The state-run daily said that charges had been filed against the servicemen involved in the incident.

'Some politicians, some anti-government people and certain foreign radio stations are taking advantage of the fight for political gains by inciting riots and protests in the nation,' the newspaper said.

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962.

The largest anti-military protests were sparked in 1988 by a tea shop brawl between civilians and soldiers.

Myanmar is gearing up for a general election on November 7, but few expect the polls to be free or fair or result in a more democratic system.