CNI News

23 Dec 2022

The National Unity Government and the State Administration Council have exchanged accusations over a bomb explosion on Yangon-Dala ferry Cherry (2) in Yangon Region.

A bomb went off on the ferry which left Pansodan Jetty for Dala Jetty in the evening of 18th December, 2022, injuring 17 civilians.

The SAC announced on 19th December that the bomb was laid on the ferry by local People's Defence Forces while the NUG said on 20th December that it had nothing to do with the terrorist act.

Laying bombs at Public places intends to instill fears among the people and control them, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Strategic Studies told the CNI.

Statement issued by the SAC on the explosion and civilians injured in the explosion.

He said, "It can be assumed that it is a violent act committed by terrorists out of terrorism because there were ordinary civilians, who were returning home after work, on the ferry. In theory, terrorists target a public place for bombing when they want to instill fears among the public and control them."

Based on past experience, she did not think the PDF was responsible for the bomb explosion, Political Observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw told the CNI.

She said, "I don't think the PDFs were responsible for the bomb explosion. We have seen such incidents since the term of the BSPP. During the anti-Chinese riots in Myanmar, an agent from the MRS stabbed a Chinese technician. So, we cannot say that the junta did not do it. They did whatever they wanted in successive eras including the terms of the SLORC and the SPDC."

Statement issued by the NUG on the explosion on a Yangon-Dala ferry and civilians injured in the explosion.

All armed organizations should abide by military code of conduct in their operations, Vice Chairperson Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin of the Arakan Liberation Army told the CNI.

She said, "Like all other armed organizations, we abide by the Geneva Convention. We are working for the people. We are launching armed struggles for the people. So, we need to avoid activities that harm the interests of the people as much as possible."

The grassroots, especially those who come to work in Yangon from Dala, mainly take Yangon-Dala ferries.