Two protesters killed in Myanmar, shops and factories closed
Two demonstrators were killed by gunshot wounds to the head in Myanmar on Monday, witnesses said, while shops, factories and banks were closed in the main city Yangon as part of the protests against the country’s military rulers.
Police and military have killed more than 50 people to quell the daily demonstrations and strikes against the Feb. 1 coup, according to the United Nations.
In some places, they waved flags fashioned from htamain (women’s sarongs) or hung them up on lines across the street to mark International Women’s Day while denouncing the junta. Walking beneath women’s sarongs is traditionally considered bad luck for men.
Witnesses reported sounds of gunfire or stun grenades in many districts of Yangon after nightfall as soldiers set up camp in hospitals and university compounds. It was not clear whether anyone was hurt.
“The army just started shooting,” a businessman who lives near a Yangon hospital told Reuters. He said he was staying at home with his family.
It also said security forces were conducting night raids in Yangon, including arbitrary arrests, shootings, and beatings.
STOP WORK
At least nine unions covering sectors including construction, agriculture and manufacturing have called on “all Myanmar people” to stop work to reverse the coup and restore Suu Kyi’s government.
Allowing business and economic activity to continue would help the military “as they repress the energy of the Myanmar people”, the unions said in a statement.
“The time to take action in defence of our democracy is now.”
The army has said it is dealing with protests lawfully.
Figures by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group showed nearly 1,800 people have been detained under the junta as of Sunday.
An announcement by the military carried on the front page of the State-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Monday threatened unspecified action against anyone who directly or indirectly works for a committee of ousted lawmakers that has declared itself the country’s legitimate authority.
The announcement said the committee was illegal and had committed “high treason”.
The killings have drawn anger in the West and been condemned by most democracies in Asia.
The United States and some other Western countries have imposed limited sanctions on the junta and Australia on Sunday cut defence ties, saying it would only deal with non-government groups in Myanmar.
Neighbouring China said on Sunday it was prepared to engage with “all parties” to ease the crisis and was not taking sides.
Reference: Reuters
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