Two dead and dozens injured in demonstration against the army in Myanmar

On Saturday, two protesters were killed and some 30 more injured, when security forces in Myanmar (Burma) fired on a demonstration against the army in Mandalay, in the center of the country, in the bloodiest acts of violence since the military coup. on the first of February.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed in the afternoon at a shipyard in Myanmar’s second city, raising fears of arrests of workers for their involvement in anti-coup movements. The protesters beat utensils to try to avoid arrests and some threw projectiles at the police, who also fired.

The agency “Agence France Presse” for doctors that “two people died, one of them a minor was shot in the head”, referring to about thirty injured.

They explained that “half of the victims were targeted by live bullets,” while the rest were injured by rubber bullets and quarries.

Doctors working on the ground also confirmed the use of live bullets and asked that their names not be revealed for fear of reprisals.

More than ten people were arrested, according to local media. Police could not be reached for comment on the events.

The escalation followed the murder of a young woman, Mia Thawati Khaeng, 20, a grocery store worker, who was shot on February 9.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, condemned Saturday-Sunday the “use of lethal force” in Burma.

“I condemn the use of deadly violence in Burma,” Guterres wrote on Twitter, adding that “the use of force, intimidation and harassment against peaceful protesters is unacceptable.”

I condemn the use of deadly violence in Myanmar.

The use of deadly force, intimidation and harassment against peaceful protesters is unacceptable.

Everyone has the right to assemble peacefully. I call on all parties to respect the election results and return to civilian government.

– António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 21, 2021

Since the coup, the military has been putting pressure on the democratic movement.

Despite this, thousands of protesters, including representatives of ethnic minorities in traditional clothing, took to the streets of Rangoon, the economic capital of the country, again on Saturday, demanding the restoration of civil rule, the release of detainees and the revocation. of the constitution, which is considered very favorable to the military.

Near the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in the center of the city, a wreath was placed in honor of Mia Thawati Khayng.

One of the protesters said: “The bullet that hit her hit us in the head.” Another protester wrote: “You are our martyr.” His burial will take place on Sunday.

About three weeks after the coup that toppled the civilian government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and ended a fragile democratic path that began ten years ago, the international condemnations and the announcement of new sanctions did not affect the generals.

Internet service was almost completely cut off for the sixth night in a row and I got back to work on Saturday morning.

The arrests continue with the arrest of nearly 550 people in less than two weeks, including political officials, striking government employees, monks and activists, according to a non-governmental organization that provides assistance to political prisoners. Only about 40 people were released.

Hundreds of thousands of Burmese have demonstrated across the country in the past two weeks, in a move unprecedented since the monk-led “Saffron Revolution” in 2007 and which the army faced bloody repression. In recent days, several incidents were reported that resulted in injuries.