Myanmar protest takes another violent turn after security forces opened fire on anti-coup protestors in two major towns on Thursday.
At least seven people have been killed during the firing by security in Myanmar.
The violence on Thursday came within a day of the United Nations Security Council calling on the military to “exercise utmost restraint” in its response to peaceful demonstrators and rights group Amnesty International accusing the junta of adopting “battlefield tactics” against peaceful demonstrators.
More than six people were killed in the central town of Myaing on Thursday when security forces fired on a protest rally.
However, rescue workers confirmed at least six protestors had died and 20 others were injured, some seriously.
Moreover, doctors in a Myaing hospital fear that the death toll could rise as at least five of those injured were in serious condition.
A protest leader said that the demonstrations were peaceful and the firing “completely unprovoked”.
One person was killed in the North Dagon district of Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city.
Myanmar slipped into chaos after its military toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. This resulted in huge protests nationwide.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group claims security forces have already killed more than 60 protesters and arrested more than 2,000 others in the ensuing crackdown.
The army has justified the coup on grounds that the November 2020 election, won by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, was marred by fraud. But Myanmar’s Election Commission has refuted the charge.
On Wednesday, a 15-member UN Security Council strongly condemned violence by Myanmar security forces against peaceful protesters, including women, youth, and children.
“The council calls for the military to exercise utmost restraint and emphasizes that it is following the situation closely,” it said in a statement.
Amnesty International, meanwhile, accused the military of using an arsenal of battlefield weapons in its “killing spree” against protesters.
In its Thursday report, the human rights group said the weapons include light machine guns, sniper rifles, and semi-automatic rifles. It added that those involved in the shootings were “unrepentant commanders already implicated in crimes against humanity” elsewhere in the country.
“They used sound bombs on every street,” said one resident. “We are asking friends who are outside of their homes not to come back here tonight because of the situation.”
Reports have also surfaced that a few hundred protestors are trying to enter India via Mizoram. Some people including policemen who refused to open fire have already entered India to save their dear life.
The Chin state administration has asked Mizoram local authorities to hand back the eight policemen who have fled into the northeast Indian state as a “goodwill gesture”.
But human rights campaigners in India have opposed the move because they fear the eight may be executed.
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