Police Refuse to Shoot Protesters – Flee Country – NRK Urix – Foreign News & Documentaries

Tha Peng is one of the policemen who has sought safety in the Indian city of Champhai, which is located a few kilometers from the border with Myanmar.

It is said that on February 27, Tha Peng was ordered to shoot to disperse the crowd in his hometown of Khampat. The protesters had gathered to show their opposition to the military junta that took control of the country on February 1.

According to official rules, the police will use rubber bullets to arrest protesters or, in an emergency, shoot people in the leg, below the knee.

– They told me to shoot until people were dead. But I refused to shoot, the 27-year-old police officer told Reuters through an interpreter.

The next day, a manager called and asked if the 27-year-old would obey and shoot next time. The young policeman said no and resigned because he thought the answer would have consequences.

Therefore, the next day he abandoned his family and his hometown. The goal was to reach India. To avoid being caught, the trip was made mainly at night.

Several refused to shoot

– I had no choice, says the 27-year-old about the decision he made not to obey.

He does not want to be identified with his full name and photo for security reasons, but Reuters reporters who met him in the Indian city were able to see the police identification evidence and know his full name.

Tha Peng says that six other policemen also refused to fire on protesters in Khampat on February 27.

The information agrees with what four other policemen say, who have also taken refuge in the Mizoram region.

– As the fight for civil disobedience grows and protests take place in many places, we have been ordered to fire on protesters, the four policemen write in a report to the Indian police.

– We do not want to shoot at our own people who are demonstrating peacefully, it is further stated.

Other policemen, who have also fled, tell similar stories. That they have been ordered to shoot to kill.

Spokesmen for those who now rule Myanmar say they have been concerned with maintaining law and order and have called on the police and other security forces to show restraint, even in the face of violent protesters.

Two of the fugitive police officers interviewed by Reuters say the shoot-to-kill orders come from the military. The news agency has not been able to verify it.

Believe there are crimes against humanity

The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, presented a new report on the situation in the country to the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday.

Andrews and contributing UN investigators believe that evidence that the country’s military leadership commits crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and torture, is mounting. But that the case and the question of guilt must be decided by a court.

Investigators believe that so far more than 70 people have been killed by security forces in Myanmar. Most of the dead must be under 25 years old.

In the course of the day alone, nine new protesters are said to have lost their lives, writes the French news agency AFP.

In the central city of Myaing, five of the six killed were shot in the head, a witness said. Eight people are injured, for one of them the condition must be serious.

Also in the cities of Bago, Mandalay and Dagon, protesters are said to have fired at people and three people were killed.

According to the UN report, more than 2,000 people have been detained since February 1.

China can take on the role of intermediary

Last night Norwegian time, the UN Security Council issued a unanimous statement on the situation in Myanmar, including a condemnation of army violence against “peaceful protesters, including women, youth and children.”

China also agreed with the statement, that Norway had initially wanted stronger wording, but where the majority accepted a version in which China could participate.

– Time to downsize. It’s time for diplomacy, China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun said after the condemnation was clear.

He stressed that China has a “friendly policy towards Myanmar that includes all citizens” and suggested that China is willing to take a mediating role.

“China stands ready to participate and communicate with all relevant parties and play a constructive role in alleviating the current situation,” Zhang said.

Accused of receiving gold

Today, the military government filed new charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, which it dismissed in the February 1 coup.

The former prime minister and Nobel laureate is now said to have illegally received $ 600,000. In addition to 11 kilos of gold.

– The state commission investigating corruption cases is investigating the matter, said the spokesman for the military leadership, Zaw Min Tun.

The head of the civilian government has previously been accused of illegally importing and using walkie-talkies, including violations of the country’s communications laws, and of inciting riots.

Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since the country’s defense minister stated that “the military was forced to take power in the country.” It is believed to be at his residence in the capital, Naypyidaw.

In the first court hearing held on March 1, ASSK, as they call it, participated through a video link. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 15.