MYANMAR SECURITY FORCES KILL 2 ANTI-COUP PROTESTERS
ThE IRRAWADDY NEWSPAPER SAID THE VICTIMS WERE SHOT IN THE HEAD DURING ANTI-COUP PROTESTS IN MYITKYINA IN KACHIN STATE
MANDALAY (Myanmar): Security forces shot dead two people in northern Myanmar on Monday, local media reported, as the military government continued its attempt to stamp out opposition to its February 1 coup.
The Irrawaddy newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State. Graphic video on social media showed protesters in the street backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks, then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.
Demonstrators hurriedly carried away a number of casualties, including one apparent fatality, a person who had clearly sustained a severe head wound.
A second body was seen a little later, on a stretcher, his head covered with a cloth.
Security forces also clamped down on anti-coup protesters elsewhere Monday, firing tear gas to break up a crowd of around 1,000 people who were demonstrating in the capital, Naypyitaw.
The protesters deployed fire extinguishers to create a smoke screen as they fled from authorities.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters marching in Mandalay, the country's secondlargest city, dispersed on their own amid fears that soldiers and police were planning to use force to break up their demonstration.
Large-scale protests have occurred daily across many cities and towns in Myanmar since the country's military seized power, and security forces have responded with ever greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.
The coup and its violent aftermath have led foreign governments and international organizations to impose measures against Myanmar's military leaders.
In the latest example, Australia suspended its defense cooperation with Myanmar and is redirecting humanitarian aid in the country because of last month's military takeover of the government and the ongoing detention of an Australian citizen.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Monday that diplomats and relatives had only been able to contact economic policy adviser Sean Turnell twice by phone since he was detained in early February. She described the access as very limited consular support.
Australia announced late Sunday that it had suspended a defense training program with Myanmar worth about 1.5 million Australian dollars (USD 1.2 million) over five years.
The program had been restricted to noncombat areas such as English-language training.
Australian humanitarian aid will be directed away from Myanmar government and government-related entities. Instead it will focus on the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor in Myanmar, including the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, Payne said.
On Sunday, police occupied hospitals and universities and reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting the military takeover.
In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, gunshots from heavy weapons rang out for a second straight night in several neighborhoods after the start of an 8 p.m. curfew.
The sounds of what apparently were stun grenades could also be heard on videos posted on social media.
The purpose for security forces using such weapons when protesters had left the streets appeared to be part of a strategy to strike fear in anyone who might think about defying the authorities.
In a similar vein, many filmed incidents of police and soldiers in plain view showed them savagely beating protesters they had taken into custody.
Some of the shooting was heard near hospitals, where reports said neighbourhood residents sought to block the entry of police and soldiers.