YANGON – People barricaded in a Yangon neighbourhood overnight today said security forces searched their homes room by room for anti-coup protesters, targeting apartments flying the flag of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted and detained Suu Kyi last month, triggering daily protests around the country to demand the junta restore democracy.
The army and police have responded with an increasingly brutal crackdown, and parts of Yangon have emerged as flashpoints for violence as protesters continue to defy authorities and take to the streets.
Crowds once again flocked to central San Chaung in the commercial hub to call for Suu Kyi’s release from custody in a protest yesterday, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
According to the United Nations rights office, by nightfall, security forces have sealed off a block of streets with around 200 protesters still inside, prompting alarm from diplomatic missions and calls for their safe release.
Sharp loud bangs were heard coming from the area, although it is not clear if the sounds were caused by gunfire or stun grenades.
Security forces started searching apartments after a nightly internet shutdown blanketed the country at 1am local time (1830 GMT), residents said, particularly those flying the red and gold flag of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party on their balconies.
One resident said her home, which did not have any protester hiding inside, was searched.
“They searched every building on Kyun Taw road – they destroyed the locks of apartment buildings if they were locked downstairs.”
She claimed that dozens were arrested.
By dawn, security forces appeared to have retreated, allowing some protesters to escape from the area. – AFP, March 9, 2021
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