By Francis Khoo Thwe
Mar 9 2021
The two victims shot in the head with firearms. The police fired stun grenades and tear gas bullets. In addition to Miytkiyna, today there were demonstrations in Yangon, Mandalay, Dawei, Monywa. Churches, mosques, monasteries subject to raids and searches. Over 600 policemen have laid down their weapons to join the civil disobedience. Funeral of Khin Maung Latt, collaborator of Aung San Suu Kyi. He died in prison and was in all likelihood tortured.
YANGON – Two people were killed this morning in Miytkyina, the capital of the Kachin state, in the far north. Witnesses say they were taking part in a protest when police fired stun grenades and tear gas bullets. Several people were injured by firearms. The two dead were shot in the head with bullets, in a style that is increasingly common among the security forces.
Miytkyina is one of the cornerstones of resistance to the army and for over a month there have been demonstrations calling for an end to the military coup and the release of political prisoners.
Miytkyina is also the city where Sister Ann Rosa Nu Tawng lives, the nun who had knelt in front of the soldiers begging them not to shoot the demonstrators and to defend the population. Even today the nun went to kneel in front of some soldiers (see photo).
According to various testimonies, in recent days, in fear that religious communities offer refuge to democracy activists, various churches, mosques and monasteries have been subjected to raids and searches.
Today there were demonstrations in Yangon, Mandalay, Dawei, Monywa. Shopping centers, factories, shops, banks were closed in the economic capital due to the civil disobedience movement, a fact that is frustrating the junta, which is witnessing a decisive strain on the economy.
In Yangon, soldiers terrorized several neighborhoods last night by firing shots in the air and entering homes to make arbitrary arrests. The junta has also threatened the dismissal of all state employees who go on strike.
Today, the junta released a statement claiming that it arrested 41 people yesterday.
According to human rights organizations, 2,000 people are already in prison because of their opposition to the coup.
Yesterday the funeral of Khin Maung Latt (photo 4), the campaign manager for Aung San Suu kyi’s party, was held. The National League for Democracy triumphed in last November’s elections, that were disavowed by the military. According to some witnesses, Khin was severely tortured in prison, judging by the injuries he presented to his head and chest. Police in Pamedan, where Khin was arrested, declined to comment.
As the violence of the security forces grows, so too is the number of those who abandon their weapons to join the civil disobedience movement. According to an official from Naypyidaw, quoted by Irrawaddy (March 5), more than 600 police officers, from different sectors, have resigned to resist the military regime. – Asia News
