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YANGON, MYANMAR (AFP, BLOOMBERG) – A 20-year-old student hit by a bullet last week in Naypyidaw, the Myanmar capital, while protesting the military coup, died, according to a family friend, the first victim since National demonstrations began.
Mya Thwe Thwe Khine was one of two people left in critical condition on February 9 after Myanmar police fired tear gas and water cannons to quell demonstrations across the country, leaving at least 20 protesters injured.
The demonstration in Naypyidaw turned violent when security forces fired rubber bullets at protesters, but hospital doctors later told AFP that at least two people had been seriously injured by live bullets.
On Friday, a hospital official confirmed her death at 11 am and said her body will be examined by a board at 3 pm because “this is a case of injustice.”
“We will keep the registry (of the cause of death) and send a copy to the respective authorities. We will seek justice and move forward, “said the doctor.
He added that hospital staff have faced immense pressure since Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing has been in her intensive care unit.
“Some have already left the hospital because of the pressure,” he said.
Military spokesman-turned-deputy information minister Zaw Min Tun confirmed this week that he had been shot and said authorities will continue to investigate the case.
The death comes as the number of protesters across Myanmar has risen to hundreds of thousands since the army took control of the country on February 1.
The youth-led movement has mobilized supporters peacefully in major cities with three main demands: the release of civilian leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, recognition of the 2020 election results won by his party, and the withdrawal of the military of politics.
Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has denounced the police actions against the protesters, while US President Joe Biden announced sanctions against military leaders linked to the coup and prevented them from accessing approximately US $ 1 billion (S $ 1.33 billion) in government funding in the US.
Coup leaders have tightened their grip on power, ordering an internet blackout in recent nights and making it easier for authorities to make arrests as they seek to enforce a ban on public gatherings ignored by protesters.
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