On 15 April, Akyat Day of the New Year Water Festival, three bombs exploded in front of a water-throwing pavilion located alongside Kandawgyi Lake, killing ten people and injuring 170. It is a disgrace to Burmese tradition that these blasts occurred during such a joyous time of year. Since no group has claimed responsibility, accusations have been exchanged between Burma's military government and opposition groups. Through its media, the junta blamed anti-government dissident groups such as the Karen National Union, the National Council of the Union of Burma and the All Burma Students Democratic Front. On the other hand, democratic forces have claimed that the horrendous act had nothing to do with them and was perpetrated by the military government. They have accused the regime of killing innocent people in a conspiracy for political gain. They pointed out that it would have been impossible for their people to travel to Rangoon to plant the bombs since the former capital has long been under tight security.

Despite the accusations being thrown around, it is still unclear who was behind the attack. Even if the crime is solved and the culprits are found, however, it will still be difficult for the public to believe. Because the New Year Water Festival is a sacred holiday for the Burmese people, it is hard for them to believe that someone or some group out there wanted to kill people on such a joyous occasion.

No matter who the culprit is, or what conspiracies were involved, one thing is certain - the bomb attacks were related to politics. Burma does not currently have any simmering religious or non-political conflicts strong enough to trigger such a deadly incident. The main cause of the incident must surely have arisen from political enmity. As long as political instability exists in Burma, it will be hard to prevent such terrorist attacks. In order to eliminate this violence, there must be political stability, and it is imperative that we as a nation pull ourselves out of this political crisis. All the leaders from different political parties and organizations must convene and work out a peaceful solution using political means. Democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic group leaders, and the current military government must meet and write a dazzling history of a new nation and realize our dream of peace.

It has been repeatedly shown that the junta can not solve the current political challenges with guns. Neither is the upcoming 2010 election a solution for the people of Burma, instead it will serve to complicate the matter. This election could create more hurdles in the national reconciliation process, and if the military junta sincerely wishes to avoid political conflict and violence such as the bomb blasts, if they wish to alleviate the people's suffering in poverty, fear, and low living standards, the Burmese generals must first stop using force on their own people. Taking the current political crisis as it is, the regime must meet with all political leaders and activists and work out a concrete solution to help create a bright new future for Burma.

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