Officials have reported that at least 11 people;have been killed in Taze, a town in Myanmar, during anti-coup; protests. Officials say the protestors fought back with hunting rifles and firebombs as security forces cracked down on them.
According to reports, six truckloads of troops were;deployed to quell a huge anti-coup protest in the town of Taze. When the protesters;fought back;with guns, knives and firebombs, five more truckloads of troop reinforcements;were;brought;in.
The fighting continued;for some time and at least 11 protesters were;killed with about 20 wounded, officials said. There was no word of any casualties among the soldiers.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has noted that the deaths would take the toll of civilians killed by security forces to over 600, since the coup on February 1.
Eleven people were also;killed in a similar clash yesterday, 7th April, in Kale, a town near Taze. According to the AAPP,;security forces fired live rounds, grenades, and machine guns on protesters who were demanding the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.
The military has also turned its attention to celebrities for speaking out against the coup and issued arrest warrants for 120 popular figures.
The country’s most famous comedian, Zarganar, was;arrested on Tuesday, 6th April. Paing Takhon, 24, a prominent actor, singer and model, was also taken from his mother’s home in the North Dagon area of Yangon, according to his sister.
She revealed in a Facebook post that, “As he’s seriously ill,;they arrested him calmly without violence. We do not know where he’s taken.” She said Paing is suffering from malaria and a heart condition.
AAPP has said 2,847 people were currently being held in detention.
‘Activity to destroy the country’- General Hlaing
Meanwhile, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing,;the leader of the military junta, has noted in a statement that the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) has halted the working of hospitals, schools, roads, offices and factories.
“Although protests are staged in neighbouring countries;and the international community, they do not destroy businesses. CDM is an activity to destroy the country.”
- UN security council must act to stop ‘bloodbath’ in Myanmar
- Myanmar military carrying out ‘extrajudicial executions’ on peaceful protesters- Amnesty International
However, Fitch Solutions, a consulting company,;posited in a report that the army is losing control,;adding that Western sanctions targeting the military;were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy.
It predicted a violent revolution pitting the military against an armed opposition comprised of members;of the anti-coup movement and ethnic militias.
“The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw (military) is increasingly losing control of the country. The vast majority of people back Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted government.”
Aung San Suu Kyi and leading figures in her National League for Democracy party are currently in detention facing various charges.
A lawyer for the Committee for Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw;– a group of MPs from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party – have met UN investigators to discuss atrocities by the junta.
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My favorite place to visit during weekends is my grandparents’ house. It’s near the lake, where we love to fish and swim. We also often take the boat out on the lake.
