The Depayin massacre occurred when a large government-sponsored mob attacked a convoy of the National League for Democracy (NLD), a political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. This incident unfolded near the town of Depayin in central Burma during a campaign trip by Suu Kyi to promote her party's agenda ahead of the 2003 elections. As tensions escalated between the military government and the supporters of the NLD, the situation deteriorated into violence when armed individuals clashed with NLD supporters. Reports indicated that at least 70 individuals were killed in this brutal attack, though estimates of fatalities varied widely depending on the source, with some reports suggesting even higher numbers.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who was present at the event, managed to escape the immediate violence but was apprehended by the military authorities soon after. Her arrest not only represented a major setback for the NLD but also sparked protests both within Burma and abroad. The international community condemned the actions of the military regime, calling for the release of Suu Kyi and the establishment of democratic processes in Burma. The aftermath of the massacre intensified international scrutiny on the country’s human rights record and deepened the already existing divides between the government and pro-democracy supporters.