Mizzima-Nov 19

Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) Chairman Khin Yi has claimed that more than 1,000 party members have been killed since the military takeover. He made the remarks during a meeting with veterans Zeyar Thiri Township, Naypyidaw, on 13 November. In a video released by the party on 15 November, Khin Yi said, “If someone supported the military and happened to be a member of our party, they were killed. It seems that disagreement makes an adversary, doesn’t it? As I said earlier, over 1,000 of our party members have been killed.” He urged that the deceased be honored, adding, “What were their wishes? They have passed into the afterlife. They sought only a higher place and a peaceful life. What must we do for them? We must make sacrifices for them.” Khin Yi also encouraged supporters to continue backing the party ahead of the junta-planned elections next month. In March 2022, the USDP installed a memorial stone at its Naypyidaw headquarters to commemorate members killed after the coup. During the unveiling, then-chairman Than Htay claimed that from the time of the military takeover to 26 March 2022, a total of 1,327 USDP members and supporters had died. The memorial includes inscriptions criticizing the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party that won the 2020 election but was removed from power by the coup. It accuses the NLD’s “strong attachment to holding power” of contributing to the violence that led to these deaths and expresses condolences to affected families. In the 2020 general election, the NLD and USDP competed in nearly all constituencies. The NLD won 920 seats while the USDP secured 71. Citing claims of election fraud, the USDP and the military staged the 1 February 2021 takeover, just before the new parliament was to convene. Since then, the junta has detained key NLD leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, dissolved the party, and prepared to hold elections in December this year with parties approved by the regime. The USDP has submitted a candidate list seeking broad representation. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2025/11/19/28337