YANGON, March 2, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Three protesters were critically injured
when security forces fired live rounds at anti-coup protesters in
northwestern Myanmar on Tuesday, medics said, as regional powers met to
pressure the junta over its deadly crackdown.
Myanmar has endured mass protests demanding the military release civilian
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained on February 1 at the start of the
coup.
Authorities have in response steadily stepped up its use of force, with
tear gas, water canon, rubber bullets and, increasingly, live rounds.
Sunday was the bloodiest day since the February 1 coup, with the UN saying
that at least 18 protesters were killed across the country. AFP independently
confirmed 11 deaths.
In the northwestern town of Kale on Tuesday, another rally turned violent
when security forces opened fire on protesters, according to medics who
witnessed events and treated those wounded.
“About 20 people were injured in a morning crackdown by police and soldiers
in Kale,” said a rescue worker, on condition of anonymity for fear of
repercussions.
“Three… were hit by live rounds and are in critical condition,” he said,
adding that police had initially deployed tear gas and rubber bullets, before
doubling back with live rounds.
A doctor who treated the patients in a local hospital confirmed the number
of people in critical condition.
“One was hit in his thigh and he’s now under operation. Another one got hit
in the abdomen and he requires blood transfusions… Another one got hit in
the chest,” he told AFP.
“His condition is a concern — we do not like it.”
The bloodshed came the same day as the funeral was held in Yangon, the
commercial capital, for a 23-year-old student who died Sunday.
The mourners sang a revolutionary song as the coffin carrying Nyi Nyi Aung
Htet Naing was taken to an altar.
“No mercy, just bullies — dead bodies are here and there,” the mourners
sang in unison as they flashed a three-finger salute. “Oh the brave heroes
who died for democracy.”
Protests also continued in several different neighbourhoods of Yangon on
Tuesday, with demonstrators wearing hard hats and wielding improvised home-
made shields.
In San Chaung township — which saw crackdowns in recent days — hundreds
of police came out in force.
“They used tear gas and shooting as well,” said one resident who could not
tell if the security forces had deployed rubber bullets or stun grenades.
– ‘Appalled’ –
The continued unrest as foreign ministers from 10-member Association of
Southeast Asian Nations bloc were due to meet virtually, including a Myanmar
representative.
Ahead of the meeting, some regional powers broke with diplomatic traditions
and issued unusually harsh rebukes to Myanmar’s junta.
“We are appalled by the use of lethal force against civilians,” Singapore’s
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the city-state’s parliament Monday.
“We call on the Myanmar military authorities to exercise utmost restraint,”
he added, while urging a “return to the path of democratic transition”.
As Myanmar’s biggest foreign investor, the prosperous city-state is seen
has having some leverage over the generals.
One diplomat told AFP the ministers will likely “ask the Myanmar military
to stop the violence and attacks against the people”.
But observers are sceptical about what difference the bloc can make —
pointing to its policies of non-interference and making decisions based on
consensus.
Since the 1 putsch, the junta has tightened its chokehold on
communications, imposing nightly internet shutdowns and blocking certain
social media websites.
More than 1,200 people have been arrested, charged and sentenced, according
to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group, of which
some 900 are still behind bars.