Five people were shot dead yesterday near opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's residence in Rangoon.

 

One man and four women were shot in their heads in a rare gunfight, as the possession of firearms is strictly controlled in the military ruled country.

Mizzima has learnt that the male victim is Charlie, a businessman and the father-in-law of the owner of Fuji coffee house, located near the site of the shooting. Charlie is a native of Mogok.

"They are not friendly with the neighbors", said a resident of University Avenue, speaking of Charlie and his family.

The accident happened in a house near to Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's home and the state-run guest house 'Sanelaekanthar' where the opposition leader has met the junta's liaison officer.

The last shooting of a civilian by another civilian in the nation's commercial hub and former capital was more than two decades ago when a man was shot by a gun using a silencer in a gambling related incident.

Ordinary citizens are not allowed to own weapons in Burma, which has been under military rule since 1962.