On Sunday, Myanmar’s security forces, seeking to break the ongoing protests against the February 1 military coup, opened fire at pro-democracy activists. According to a United Nations (UN) human rights official, 18 people were killed, at least 30 were injured, and several were arrested.
Politician Kyaw Min Htike told Reuters that the police opened fire in the southern coastal town of Dawei, killing three and wounding several. The Myanmar Now media outlet reported the killing of two people in a protest in the city of Mandalay. According to local residents and media, the police also broke up protests in other towns, including the northeastern town of Lashio and the southern town of Myeik. However, neither the country’s police nor the spokesperson for the ruling military council have commented on the situation yet.
“Deaths reportedly occurred as a result of live ammunition fired into crowds in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago, and Pokokku,” UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani confirmed in a statement. She added, “Tear gas was also reportedly used in various locations as well as flash-bang and stun grenades... We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters.”
Media images showed protestors, wearing plastic work helmets with makeshift shields, facing off against police and soldiers in battle gear. Demonstrators were also pictured hauling those that were wounded in the violence, leaving bloody trails on pavements. The most recent reports of violence bring the total death toll to 21 since the protests started in early February. According to the army, one policeman has also been killed. However, Sunday’s figures represent the highest single-day death toll.
While no government has tightened restrictions against Myanmar yet, some have issued statements expressing dismay at the news. “We are heartbroken to see the loss of so many lives in Myanmar,” the United States (US) embassy said in a statement. Further, the Canadian Embassy said it was “appalled” by the news of the violence. Within Asia, Indonesia, which has taken the diplomatic lead within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the crisis, also expressed deep concern regarding the development.
At this stage, the European Union (EU), New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), the US, France, and Canada have suspended ties with the Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, over its “disproportionate use of force” that “strongly indicates a deliberate action to expel a minority”. However, the recent violence is bound to invite further criticism and harsher sanctions against the country’s military government.
On February 1, the Tatmadaw took control of the government for one year and detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, alongside several members of parliament (MPs) from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and student leaders. The Tatmadaw alleges electoral fraud in the recently conducted election in November when the NLD secured a landslide victory with 83% of the votes. Alongside the detentions, the internet and TV networks were also shut down.
Myanmar Protests Take Violent Turn, At Least 18 Dead, Dozens Injured
At least 18 civilians were killed and dozens more were injured in what was the most violent episode in recent popular protests against the military coup that occurred in Myanmar in February.
March 1, 2021
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES