Friday, 16 April 2010 14:24 Mungpi
(Mizzima) - The United States has expressed concern and sympathy over the serial bomb blasts that killed at least eight and injured over 90 in Rangoon on Thursday. It condemned the perpetrators of the heinous act.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were the victims of this bombing,” Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of the State Department, told a regular press briefing on Thursday.
With the Burmese in a festive mood celebrating the annual water festival marking the New Year, three bombs exploded in quick succession on Thursday afternoon in Rangoon, the country’s former capital, killing at least five men and three woman and seriously injuring over 90 people.
The blast occurred at a Pandal, built for the water festival, in Minglar Taungnyunt Township.
Though bomb blasts in Burma, particularly in Rangoon, are not uncommon, it has not injured so many in the past, though there have been a few deaths. However, those killed on Thursday’s blast included a municipal officer, and Chairman of the Minglar Taungnyunt Township Peace and Development council (TPDC) injured.
“We condemn any kind of violence that victimizes innocent civilians… obviously, we’ll be waiting to see what the results of the investigation are,” Crowley said.
So far, no group or groups have claimed responsibility for the blasts and police in Rangoon said they are conducting widespread investigations.
The junta, which in the past has blacked out such news, on Thursday, was quick in announcing news of the explosions.
Water Festival, which marks the Burmese New Year, is the biggest festival of the country and is widely celebrated by thousands of people, mostly youths, splashing water on the streets.
The US has maintained sporadic diplomatic relations that include rare meetings and talks with the
Friday, April 16, 2010
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