Myanmar: protests spread, NLD official dies

Reuters on March 7 said the death of Khin Maung Latt, civilian Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party official, is still unknown. This person died on the night of March 6 (local time). Reuters saw a photo of Khin’s body with a bloodstained cloth wrapped around his head.

Former member of the Myanmar National Assembly, Sithu Maung, wrote on Facebook that Mr. Khin was arrested in the Pabedan district of Yangon city on March 6.

Myanmar police had no comment when contacted by Reuters.

Protesters in Yangon City on March 6. Photo: Reuters

Police stationed in Nyaung-U city on March 7. Photo: Reuters

On March 7, a wave of protests swept through at least 6 cities in Myanmar. Some videos showed security forces firing tear gas and stun grenades at protesters in Yangon City and Lashio City.

According to witnesses, the police opened fire to disperse crowds in the city of Bagan and used live bullets. The Myanmar Now page posted videos of soldiers beating men in Yangon.

The United Nations (UN) says Myanmar’s security forces have killed more than 50 people to quell waves of protests and strikes since the military coup and arrested Suu Kyi on February 1.

Yangon City residents said soldiers and police entered some districts on the night of March 6 and arrested at least 3 people in Kyauktada City.

The state newspaper Global New Light Of Myanmar quoted the police as saying that the security forces were handling the demonstrations in accordance with the law, using tear gas and stun grenades to prevent riots.

The Association for the Support of Political Prisoners (AAPP) lists more than 1,700 people who were detained on March 6. They were beaten with batons and then put in the police car. Security forces also entered residential areas, trying to arrest more protesters and shoot at houses.

The killings of protesters in Myanmar have been condemned by the West and most of the democracy in Asia. China, Myanmar’s northeast neighbor, said on March 7 that it was ready to join with all parties in defusing the crisis and not taking sides.