As demonstrations against the military coup, which ousted the democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, entered their forth week, security forces began a violent crackdown on protesters in towns and cities across the country.
In the biggest city, Yangon, a protester was fatally shot when police opened fire on demonstrators, according to Reuters, citing a hospital doctor. The doctor, who asked not to be identified, said the protester was brought into hospital with a bullet wound in the chest. Local media outlet Mizzima also reported the death in Yangon’s Thingangyun township.
In the south of the country, three people were killed and more than a dozen were wounded when police opened fire on protesters in the town of Dawei, according to media outlet the Dawei Watch. Local politician Kyaw Min Htike confirmed police had shot protesters in Dawei.
It was the most casualties in a single day.
Police and the spokesman for the ruling military council did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.
Videos posted to social media captured the escalating confrontations between protesters and security forces.
In footage from the Hledan district of Yangon, shots could be heard. Local media reported that at least five people were injured in those clashes. Shots could also be heard in a live stream posted on social media by local media from Yangon’s Tamwe township, in which crowds of protesters could be seen fleeing from police. At least five students were arrested at protests elsewhere in downtown Yangon on Sunday.
Sunday marks the second day of the military’s intensified crackdown on anti-coup protesters, in which hundreds of people have reportedly been detained, including journalists. In towns and cities across Myanmar Saturday, security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannon and shot their guns into the air to disperse protesters.
Since the coup, at least seven demonstrators and one police officer have been killed, according to Reuters. Activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said that as of Saturday, it had documented 854 people who have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the February 1 coup. The group noted, however, that “hundreds of people” were arrested in Yangon and other places on Saturday.
UN ambassador defies military
On Saturday, state television MRTV announced UN ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun’s removal, saying he had “abused the power and responsibilities of a permanent ambassador” and that he “betrays the country.”
Speaking to Reuters following his firing, Kyaw Moe Tun said that he “decided to fight back as long as I can.”
Addressing the assembly in New York on…
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