In a statement on the government-run MRTV channel, the military warned that without discipline “democracy could be destroyed”, and that those who “harm the stability of the state, public safety and the rule of law” could face legal action.
On Tuesday, the government imposed new restrictions on public rallies and imposed curfews for major cities and towns across the country, including the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, and the largest city, Yangon, where large protests continue.
According to a notice published by the state-owned newspaper Global New Light Myanmar f Myanmar, people are prohibited from assembling in more than five groups, are banned from joining protests on foot or by car, and are not allowed to give political speeches in public. Area.
Curfews will be in place in most major cities and towns from 8pm to 4am. While the notice said it came into force on February 8, it did not say when the sanctions would be lifted.
At least 27 people were arrested during protests in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. The report said two local media organizations had confirmed the arrests, including a journalist from Burma’s Democratic Voice and Voice, who said they had been detained after demonstrating police violence against protesters.
Those arrested may face prosecution under Article 144 of the Criminal Code for “unlawful assembly”. Section 144 has been used in the past to stop legal protests and to justify violent crackdowns on mass demonstrations.
Gathered near the barricade on the main road in the capital of riot police used a water cannon against protesters tried. Protesters could be heard chanting “People’s Police”. If the police do not let people in the area who have demonstrated over the loud speaker warned that if the opposition can not use force.
It was the second day that police used water cannons against protesters in Naypyidaw. On Monday, protesters chanted anti-insurgency slogans and demanded that power be handed over to elected leaders. Police told them they would fire live ammunition if they crossed the police line on the city’s main thoroughfares.
On live feeds posted on social media, protesters were heard holding “banners” against the dictatorial government and holding banners with pictures of Suu Kyi’s face.
Students’ union members led the first wave of protests, with teachers and engineers joining the Yangon crowd. Saffron-clad monks can be seen standing outside the temples, supporting the crowd, raising three fingers and waving.
“We will not allow this military dictatorship to pass on our next leg. We will continue our protest until this dictatorship fails,” said So Mang Mang, a Yangon resident.
The U.S. State Department said it was “very concerned” about the military’s imposition of sanctions on public gatherings and supported the country’s peaceful protests.
“We stand with the people in support of democratically elected governments, including those who peacefully protest, and those who support their right to peaceful assembly, including the right to freedom of expression, both online and offline.” Spokesman Ned Price said.
In his first public televised address since taking power, General Min Aung Hlaing on Monday urged citizens to prioritize “facts”, holding “free and fair” elections and handing over power to the winner.
He did not say when the election would take place, but repeatedly claimed the November 2020 vote – in which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD) won a landslide victory – was fraudulent. The state of emergency has been in place for more than a year since Minang Hlaing seized power.
The Election Commission has denied the allegations, saying any irregularities would not have been enough to change the overall result.
A new election commission has been set up and is inspecting the voter lists, Meenang Healing said in his address.
Analysts say the military does not justify its occupation because seizing power was illegal, and in doing so the military violated its own constitution, which was created in 2008.
“The military claims that its actions are constitutional. But this is a coup and the military has changed the rules to suit their interests. It is difficult for anyone to take the 2008 constitution drafted by the military seriously,” said Melissa Crouch. , New South Wales, Australia Professor of Law in Australia and author of the “Constitution of Myanmar”.
Army chief Suu Kyi has been held unrestrained since she was detained hours before she was taken into military custody. She is in custody, charged with violating import-export laws, while ousted President Win Myint is accused of violating the Natural Disaster Management Act – a charge that has been described as “trumped.”
Myanmar’s human rights group, the Auxiliary Organization for Political Prisoners (AAPP), has documented the detention of at least 133 government officials and legislators and 14 activists since the uprising.
“There is reasonable concern that the military junta will turn this peaceful demonstration into a riot and take advantage of the instability,” said Bo Kyo, joint secretary of the AAP.
“Whenever state institutions are unstable they belong to the most backward classes of society who suffer, find fault with someone in the military or another group. This should not be allowed to happen. A peaceful march towards democracy must succeed.”
CNN’s Pauline Woodwood, Redina Gigova and Richard Roth contributed to the reporting.
.
