Demonstrators in Myanmar hit back as death toll rises

PROTESTERS IN Myanmar have fired slingshots and thrown petrol bombs towards lines of security forces after apparently coming under fire.

The growing resistance came after one organisation said more than 200 people have been killed since the February 1 takeover. At least two people were shot dead during protests on Wednesday in north-western Myanmar, according to press and social media posts that included photos of the victims.

Protests against the coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, inset, have shown remarkable staying power and largely remained peaceful, despite curbs on internet access, the imposition of martial law in some places, and a violent response by police.

Demonstrators have come up with innovative ways to carry on in the face of the violence, including lining up placards as standins for themselves or coconuts painted with the words “Spring Revolution”.

But on Wednesday, after security forces apparently shot at them in the country’s largest city of Yangon, demonstrators initially fled, but then crept back to shelter behind sandbag barricades. Some threw petrol bombs while others took aim with slingshots – though the forces were too far away to be hit.

Pope Francis appealed for an end to the bloodshed on Wednesday. In an apparent reference to widely broadcast images of a nun in Myanmar, kneeling in the street in front of armed security forces, Francis said: “I, too, kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say: may violence cease.”

The coup reversed years of slow progress towards democracy in Myanmar, which for five decades had languished under strict military rule.

The independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which keeps a tally of deaths related to the crackdown, said that by Tuesday 202 people had been killed, and 2,181 arrested or charged.

“Junta forces target protesters but also ordinary people, using sniper rifles regardless of the time or place,” according to association.

“Some injured people were arrested and died without access to medical treatment, some individuals have died due to being tortured during interrogation, others who were shot dead were dragged away without mercy and their bodies are not being returned to their families,” it said.