Yangon, Jan 4 (IANS) – To commemorate Myanmar’s 77th Independence Day, the State Administration Council announced on Saturday the release of approximately 6,000 prisoners. This amnesty includes 5,864 prisoners from Myanmar and 180 from other countries. Additionally, some sentences were reduced as part of the gesture.
In a similar move last year, over 9,000 prisoners received pardons during the country’s 76th Independence Day observance.
Myanmar declared its independence from British colonial rule on January 4, 1948, marking the end of 60 years of British dominance. The independence movement had been fueled by World War II struggles, with Burmese soldiers collaborating with the British to expel Japanese invaders. Nationalist leader Aung San, whose leadership against the Japanese brought him prominence, helped shape the political and military landscape that negotiated Burma’s independence.
In 1946, Aung San became part of the provisional government and played a key role in the formation of the Panglong Agreement, which guaranteed Burma’s independence and sought to unify the country’s diverse ethnic groups. However, just months before independence was formally achieved, Aung San and six of his colleagues were assassinated in July 1947, a tragedy that cast a long shadow over the nation. Despite this, Burma continued its march toward independence.
On January 4, 1948, the country officially became the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first president and U Nu as its first prime minister.
The historical significance of the day was palpable, with many recalling Burma’s struggle for autonomy, including the events of 1885 when the British exiled Burma’s last king, Thibaw, and formally annexed the country. Burma had been under British control since the Anglo-Burmese War of 1824-26, though full colonial control was only established in 1886. Burma was part of British India until 1937 when it became a separate colony. Independence in 1948 marked the dawn of a new era for the nation.
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