FUNERAL PROCESSION, PORTRAIT OF 19-YEAR-OLD GIRL VICTIM; CHILDREN OF MRS. HO ON CASKET CARRIAGE; CASKET BEING CARRIED TOWARD CREMATORIUM.




Initials GM/V/JH/JG



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Background: SIX SOUTH VIETNAMESE BUDDHISTS HAVE BURNED THEMSELVES TO DEATH THIS WEEK IN PROTEST AGAINST THE POLICIES OF THE RULING MILITARY JUNTA. YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) THE FUNERAL TOOK PLACE IN SAIGON OF TWO OF THE SIX. BOTH WERE WOMEN -- ONE MIDDLE-AGED, THE OTHER A TEEN-AGED.

THE WOMEN WERE MRS. HO THI THIEN, 58, AND 19-YEAR-OLD NI-CO VIEN NGOC. THE FUNERAL PROCESSION WAS FROM THE VIEN HOA DAO PAGODA. CHIEF BUDDHIST CENTRE IN SAIGON, TO THE PHU LAM CEMETERY FIVE MILES SOUTH OF THE CITY. THE SEVEN CHILDREN OF MRS. HO RODE ON HER CASKET CARRIAGE. NI-CO VIEN NGOC'S MOTHER FOLLOWED THE CASKET ON A THREE-WHEELED BICYCLE. ANOTHER RELATIVE CARRIED THE DEAD GIRL'S PORTRAIT.

MRS. HO DIED ON SUNDAY AND NI-CO VIEN NGOC ON MONDAY.