BURMA INSURGENTS MAKE THINGS WORSE

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1948, Page 5

BURMA INSURGENTS MAKE THINGS WORSE

An Army Leader is Assassinated (Rec. 9.30) LONDON, Sept. 18 The former Burmese f oreign Minister, U. Tin Tut, has died in nospital at Rangoon from wounds which he received when a bomo, mat nau Deen, plantea in his car exploded. He was wounded in the jaw and in both legs. Two orderlies in the car were also injured, out the driver and the bodyguard escaped unhurt. A police examination showed that the bomb was planted between the exhaust pipe and a floorboard, and was manipulated to explode when the engine started.

The motive for the assassination is considered to be political. U. Tin Tut resigned from his Cabinet post two months ago to take up an appointment as Inspector-General of tne new Union Auxiliary Force with the rank of Brigadier, in view of the critical military situation. The Communists, before they went underground, persistently demanded the removal of U. Tin Tut from the Cabinet, because he was too pro-Brit-ish. '

Martial law has been declared in the east coast districts of Moulemein and Thaton.

Reuter’s Rangoon correspondent says: The President, Sao Shwe Tahike, has announced a state of emergency throughout Burma in view of the disturbed conditions.

A Government communique has reported that troops have been rushed to the defence of Bogale, a Delta town which is surrounded by insurgents. . Tne communique reported minor engagements between Government forces and insurgents north-west of Mandalay, also north of Rangoon, and the outer suburbs of Rangoon.