The Myanmar Thingyan Festival was over along with criticisms about how the junta tried to use it as platform to pacify the restive Myanmar people. This year, more people took part in Thingyan festival particularly in stages organized by military in big cities. On the other hand, the roads and wards are sparsely populated unlike in the years before 2020.

 

Twelve people injured in explosion in Mandalay

 

On Thingyan Akya day, an explosion occurred at the motorbikes stand near the Mandalay Mayor’s Thingyan Pandal injuring 12 people, including 5 children. The incident took place despite the strict security provision. The SAC claimed it was carried out by PDFs. But no statement was released relating to that explosion.

 

Pyin Oo Lwin struck by rockets

 

After the chief-in-commander Min Aung Hlaing visited Pyin Oo Lwin, the city was attacked by rockets at night.

"The stronghold of military universities, Pyin Oo Lwin was hit by around 20 rockets at around 9:00 pm of Thingyan Akya day," the PVTV media of National Unity Government (NUG) said.

The rockets damaged the Pyin Oo Lwin hospital, monastery and some wards and killed 4 people including 2 monks and 2 people. Some news reports said one rocket exploded in Defense Service Academy (DSA) compound but junta was silent amid the attack.

 

House arrest for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

 

As they did on auspicious public holidays, before Myanmar New Year day, some news reports claimed the state counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was transferred from Nay Pyi Taw prison to her house.

The military spokesperson general Zaw Min Tun told BBC and VOA that they are operating to reduce the higher temperature for all ages of prisoners not just of the former state counselor and former president U Win Myint.

In October, the 78-year-old Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was sentenced to 27 years of prison, suffered from toothache and other ailments.

 

Around 3000 prisoners were released on Myanmar New Year’s Day

 

On the first day of Myanmar New Year, the SAC released 3303 prisoners. However, there were just a few political prisoners included in the release, said by some activists.

Among the political prisoners released were two NLD ministers in Kachin state, one representative in Nay Pyi Taw and Kachin religious leader Hkalam Samson. However, Dr. Hkalam Samson was detained again after 9 hours from his release from Myitkyina prison.

 

Junta demands return of arms from Karen BGF

 

The Thailand media PBS said the Myanmar had asked its former ally Karen BGF forces in Myawaddy to return the arms it provided them. The junta allegedly warned that if the BGF failed to return the arms, they are going to attack the casinos in Shwe Koteko controlled by the BGF.

The junta forces and BGF had been partner for 30 years. But lately, the BGF said they would no longer accept the salaries and supplies from the Myanmar military. The BGF renames itself as the Karen National Army (KNA) at the end of February.

 

NUG sends a memorandum to Wa

 

On 17 April, the 35th anniversary of achieving peace in Wa state, the acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG), Duwa Lashi La sent a memorandum seeking cooperation with the United Wa State Army in bringing an end to military dictatorship and a building federal state.

At an event took place in Pangkham, UWSA read the letter sent by NUG and it opens a door for mutual cooperation between UWSA and NUG. The event was attended by Northern Brotherhood Alliance and representatives from other ethnic groups.

 

Burma Associated Press