Protesters flee after hearing shots in Myanmar
Yangon’s video shows protesters fleeing as the sound of gunfire echoes.
USA TODAY, STORYFUL
YANGON, Myanmar – Security forces in Myanmar opened fire and arrested en masse on Sunday in an attempt to stop protests against the seizure of power by the military, and a UN human rights official said he had “reliable information” that 18 people were killed and 30 injured.
That would be the highest death toll in a day among protesters who are demanding that Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government be restored to power after being overthrown by a February 1 coup.
“The deaths occurred as a result of live ammunition fired at crowds in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku,” said the UN Human Rights Office in a statement referring to several cities, adding that the forces also used tear gas, flash-bang grenades and stunning grenades.
“We strongly condemn the escalation of violence against the protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately stop the use of force against peaceful protesters,” said spokesman Ravina Shamdasani, quoted.
An Associated Press journalist was taken into police custody on Saturday morning while providing news coverage of the protests. Journalist Thein Zaw remains in police custody.
Burma’s Democratic Voice reported that as of 5 pm in Myanmar, there were 19 confirmed deaths in nine cities, with another 10 unconfirmed deaths. The independent media company broadcasts by satellite and digital terrestrial television, as well as online.
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DVB accounted for five deaths in Yangon and two in Mandalay, the largest and second largest city.
He recorded five deaths in Dawei, a much smaller city in southeastern Myanmar that has received tens of thousands of protesters almost every day since the coup. Witnesses said Sunday’s march was also long and that people were determined not to be thrown out of the streets.
Confirming the deaths of protesters has been difficult amid chaos and a general lack of news from official sources, especially in areas outside Yangon, Mandalay and the capital of Naypyitaw. But in many cases, the photos and videos that circulated showed the circumstances of the murders and horrible photos of bodies.
The shooting had been reported during protests in Yangon, when police also fired tear gas and water cannons while trying to clean the streets. Photos of rounds of live ammunition used in assault rifles have been posted on social media.
Initial reports on social media identified a young man believed to have been killed. His body was shown in photos and videos lying on the sidewalk until other protesters took him away.
In Dawei, local media reported that at least three people were killed during a protest march, supported by photos and videos. Photos on social media showed an injured man being cared for by a medical team.
Before Sunday, there were eight confirmed reports of murders linked to the acquisition of the army, according to the independent Association of Assistance to Political Prisoners.
The February 1 coup reversed years of slow progress towards democracy, after five decades of military rule. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party was said to have been installed for a second five-year term, but the army prevented Parliament from meeting and detained her and President Win Myint, as well as other important members of the Suu Kyi government.
On Sunday morning, medical students marched in Yangon near the intersection of the Hledan Center, which has become the meeting point for protesters who have spread to other parts of the city.
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Videos and photos showed protesters running as the police attacked them and setting up makeshift road blocks to slow their advance. Some protesters managed to drop tear gas at the police. Nearby, residents begged the police to release those who picked up on the street and threw in police trucks to be taken away. Dozens or more are believed to have been detained.
“The world is watching the actions of the Myanmar military junta and will hold them accountable,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch, based in New York. “Live ammunition should not be used to control or disperse protests and lethal force can only be used to protect life or prevent serious injuries.”
Security forces began using tougher tactics on Saturday, taking preventive action to stop the protests and making dozens, if not hundreds, of arrests. More soldiers have also joined the police. Many of the detainees were taken to Insein prison, on the northern outskirts of Yangon, historically famous for holding political prisoners.
According to the Association of Assistance to Political Prisoners, by Saturday, 854 people had been arrested, charged or convicted at some point in connection with the coup, and 771 were being detained or wanted to be detained. The group said that although it had documented 75 new arrests, it understood that hundreds of others were also arrested on Saturday in Yangon and elsewhere.
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