“What happened on July 7, 1962, was a massacre,” said Hla Shwe. “I appeal to the government to form an inquiry into the incidents which happened on that infamous day.”

Rangoon University students staged a peaceful demonstration on campus against deteriorating educational standards and “unjust university rules” on that date. Gen. Ne Win, who had that same week come to power in a coup, sent in troops to disperse the students. Dozens were shot dead and many more were injured. The following morning, soldiers dynamited the historic Rangoon University Student Union building, reducing it to rubble.

The head of Rangoon General Hospital official announced that 68 students were hospitalized and 16 were killed.

However, students who were at the protest have long said that hundreds may have been killed in the assault.

Hla Shwe also called for remembrance ceremonies to be held for victims of the 1974 labor strikes and the 1974-75-76 student strikes which were again put down with force by Ne Win’s Revolutionary Council troops.