YANGON – Myanmar’s junta late yesterday imposed martial law in two densely populated Yangon townships after at least 18 protesters were killed in one of the deadliest days since the February 1 coup.
Yesterday’s violence brings the death toll in mass protests since the military wrenched civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power to around 100, though activists and rights groups believe it could be higher.
The junta has repeatedly justified its power grab by alleging widespread electoral fraud in last November’s elections, which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won by a landslide.
State-run media announced yesterday that Yangon’s massive Hlaing Tharyar township and the neighbouring Shwepyitha township will be placed under martial law.
The vast and impoverished townships are known as factory hubs and home to garment factories.
Today, four more townships – North Dagon, South Dagon, Dagon Seikkan and North Okkalapa – have been added to the list, reported Xinhua news agency.
The junta “gives administrative and judicial martial law power to the Yangon regional commander... to perform security, maintain the rule of law and tranquillity more effectively,” said an announcer on state-run TV.
Soldiers and police have in recent weeks been staging near-daily crackdowns against demonstrators calling for a return to democracy, using tear gas and firing rubber bullets and live rounds to quell anti-coup protests.
In Hlaing Tharyar township, police and soldiers clashed violently, with protesters wielding sticks and knives and rushing for protection behind makeshift barricades.
Protesters using cut-out trash cans as shields managed to rescue some demonstrators wounded when the security forces opened fire, but a doctor said not all could be reached.
“I can confirm 15 have died,” the doctor said, adding that she had treated about 50 people and expects the death toll to climb.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group, which verifies arrests and fatalities since the coup, gave a higher death toll.
Residents hiding at home heard gunshots continuously throughout the day, while military trucks were seen driving through the smoky streets.
The United Nations’ envoy for Myanmar strongly condemned the bloodshed, stating that the international community, “including regional actors, must come together in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations”.
Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener in the statement said she had heard “heartbreaking accounts of killings, mistreatment of demonstrators and torture of prisoners” from contacts in Myanmar.
She said the ongoing brutality “severely undermines any prospect for peace and stability” in the country.
Former colonial power Britain said it is “appalled” by the use of force “against innocent people”.
A statement signed by British ambassador Dan Chugg called for an “immediate cessation” of violence and the regime to return power to the elected civilian officials. – AFP, March 15, 2021
