Over 20,000 people from different areas in Chin state were forced to attend the rally held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Burma standard time) in 'Vumtu Maung' play ground in Hakha, capital of Chin state.

"Many people had no option but to involve themselves in the rally as it was mandatory. However, the people were in no mood to do so," said a Hakha local.

"The rally attendees were forced to shout slogans supporting the outcome of the NC and were made to describe the Burmese media and opposition groups in exile as destructive elements who had encouraged the recent protests in Burma," he added.

Major General Tar Aye, Commander of the Northwestern Command in Burma and Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Ministry of Burma, Brigadier Thura Aung Ko, attended the mass rally in Chin state, sources from Hakha said.

Government employees, junta backed organizations, like the USDA and fire brigade from Thangtlang, Falam, Tedim, Matupi and Paletwa Townships also participated in the mass meeting in Hakha.

Meanwhile, people from rural areas in Kalay, Sagaing division, Northwestern Burma who failed to attend the procession in Kalay to support the NC yesterday, were fined Kyat 5,000 (Burma currency) per household by the local authorities.

The rallies to support the outcome of the NC are being organized by the military regime in different places in Burma after the violent crack down on anti-government demonstrators across Burma which left over 200 dead while thousands of monks and protesters were arrested.

The National Convention which began in 1993 as a part of the regimes so called seven-step road map to 'disciplined democracy' was wrapped up on September 3, 2007. – Khonumthung.