VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday denounced the Myanmar military junta's air strike targeting an outdoor music concert in the country's northern state of Kachin on Sunday night, which claimed dozens of lives.

Marsudi lodged her criticism during the meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers in Jakarta, which specifically discussed the Myanmar crisis.

"The Myanmar military junta's air strike during a music concert in Kachin must be denounced and is unacceptable," she said after the meeting.

While expressing concern over the mounting violence in Myanmar following the military coup in February last year, Indonesia urged the military junta to put an immediate end to all forms of violence, which has claimed many lives.

"Once again the violent acts must be stopped soon. Indonesia wants this message to reach the Tatmadaw soon,” she said referring to the Myanmar armed forces.

The air strike killed at least 50 people, including singers and officials of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

KIA has been fighting for wide-ranging autonomy for Kachin residents for six decades.

The group has voiced opposition to the rule of the military,which ousted the democratically elected civil government led by Noble laureate Aung San Suu Kyi last year. (Antaranews)