Myanmar’s security forces have killed at least 38 anti-coup protesters in several cities on Wednesday— the deadliest day since the military coup happened a month ago. Rehnuma reports.
In shocking footage of violence of the security forces coming out of the country they have been seen repeatedly firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse the crowds, and arresting protesters indiscriminately.
UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said in U.N. headquarters yesterday, “Today it was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the first of February. We had today 38 people died. We have now more than over 50 people died since the coup started, and many are wounded,”
Schraner Burgener also said that she had warned Myanmar’s deputy military chief, Soe Win, that the military is likely to face strong measures from some countries and isolation in reprisal for the coup.
Last Sunday, at least 18 people died as believed by the UN Human Rights Office.
Diplomatic efforts to stop violence in Myanmar
In response to Wednesday’s brutality, the UK called for a closed session with United Nations Security Council on Friday, while the US was considering strict action against Myanmar’s military.
Meanwhile, the teleconference meeting on Tuesday of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member, ended with mere talks on how to reach a peaceful settlement. The statement of ASEAN called for an end to violence with only four members – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore – appealed for the immediate release of Ms Suu Kyi and other detainees.
As usual Myanmar’s military junta Ignored the appeal and continued to use brutal forces against the peaceful demonstrators.
Pope Francis also called for dialogue on Twitter and urged the international community to “ensure that the aspirations of the people of Myanmar are not stifled”.
Casualties of yesterday’s violent attack on protesters
Among those who were killed on Wednesday were a 19-year-old woman and two teenage boys aged 14 and 17 shot in Mandalay, Save the Children said. Six people were killed in Monywa with at least 30 injured, eight people were killed in a neighborhood in Yangon, and at least 10 people were injured in Myingyan.
A CCTV footage published by Radio Free Asia showed police detaining and assaulting three medics with gun butts.
After the military coup last month, about 1,300 people have been arrested so far, including the country’s democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi with the allegation of usurping power by rigged election. Since then, thousands of the people have taken the street to voice their protest against the military demanding the restoration of democratic government.
