The National League for Democracy (NLD) says it came under slingshot attack by unknown assailants during a rally for constitutional reform over the weekend in Sagaing Division.
At the rally in Magyiton village, Khin-U Township, stones were hurled at members of the opposition party as well as people in the crowd, according to a party member.
“I was giving the talks,” Tin Win, the NLD’s joint secretary in the township, told The Irrawaddy. “Since it was dusk, it was not clear who was attacking us. The attack came from four sides.”
He said it was the first time the NLD had faced violence during its nationwide campaign for constitutional amendments.
A 4-year-old child in the crowd was hit on the head with a stone, and six adults were also injured. They were rushed to the township hospital and a police report was filed.
“We reported it to the upper level,” said Khin Maung Latt, a police officer from the township station.
The township’s NLD chairman, Win Aung, criticized the use of violence against peaceful talks.
The NLD has teamed up with the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, an activist group, to campaign for constitutional amendments. They have held rallies and launched a petition to amend Article 436 of the charter, which gives the military a veto over other amendments.
The petition is scheduled to end on July 19, which is also the Burmese holiday Martyrs’ Day.
