[ad_1]
Many injured on the fourth day of the rallies against the coup. The police used water cannons and fired. At least three casualties are reported.
5:26 pm, February 9, 2021
In protests against the military coup in Myanmar, the police increasingly react with violence. On Tuesday, security forces used water cannons and rubber bullets against protesters for the first time, as can be seen in videos on social media. There were numerous injuries and photos on Twitter showed protesters bleeding. The security forces are also said to have fired forcefully: A student was shot in the head in the capital, Naypyidaw.
According to the “Frontier Myanmar” news portal, he is in critical condition. Dozens of participants were reportedly arrested.
It was the fourth consecutive day of resistance. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets since the weekend. They are calling for the restoration of civilian rule under Aung San Suu Kyi, who overthrew the army on the night of February 1. However, observers warned of an escalation. In the past, the Myanmar military has bloodily crushed any protest.
Offices searched
Police were investigating the Suu Kyis Party offices in Yangon, according to two MPs. The two members of his National League for Democracy (NLD) spoke of a raid by a dozen officials after dark Tuesday.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern about“Reports from Naypyidaw, Mandalay and other cities that numerous protesters have been injured, some seriously,” said a statement. “I call on the security forces to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” said Ola Almgren, head of the UN mission in Myanmar.
Since Monday night, there have been curfews between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. in areas of the major cities of Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay, as well as other cities and districts, which have been severely affected by the protests. In addition, gatherings of more than five people, public speeches and protests are prohibited, as reported by the “Myanmar Times” newspaper in reference to the administration’s announcements.
On the night of February 1, the military arrested de facto Prime Minister Suu Kyi and many other top politicians. Since then, the former freedom icon has not been seen, but is said to be under house arrest.
President Win Myint, who was also detained at his residence, was apparently transferred to another location on Tuesday, activist Nimrod Andrew reported. Win Myint was seen on video handcuffed in a car.
New Zealand breaks contacts with the Southeast Asian country’s regime
northNew Zealand has severed all political and military contacts with Myanmar. In addition, a travel ban will be imposed on members of the military junta, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “Our strong message is that we will do everything we can from here in New Zealand,” said the Prime Minister.
The current coup brings back memories of nearly half a century of military rule. After a coup in 1962, the military had ruled the country for 49 years. In 2011, the army began to withdraw from politics little by little, but it never left the control of the civilian government. The 2008 constitution guarantees military veto power in parliament and control of certain ministries. Therefore, the protesters call for the constitution to be repealed.
The November general elections were only the second free vote since the end of direct military rule in 2011. The United Nations, the United States and the EU condemned the coup and demanded the release of Suu Kyi and the other detainees. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was under house arrest for some fifteen years between 1989 and 2010. Even if her international reputation was damaged because she was silent about the expulsion of the Rohingya Muslim minority by the military, the 75-year-old remains being extremely popular in his home country. The growing movement of civil disobedience to the recent coup has taken over hospitals, schools and administrations.
