Thousands call for ‘spring revolution’ against junta

Thousands of anti-coup protesters marched yesterday, calling for a “spring revolution” with the country in its fourth month under a military regime.

Demonstrations kicked off early in commercial hub here as activists called for a show of force and a “spring revolution”.

Youths gathered on a street corner before marching swiftly down the streets in a flash mob — dispersing soon after to avoid clashing with authorities.

“To bring down the military dictatorship is our cause!” they chanted, waving a three-finger salute of resistance.

In eastern Shan state, youths carried a banner that read: “We cannot be ruled at all.”

Local media reported that security forces were chasing protesters down and arresting them.

Bomb blasts also went off across the city yesterday. Explosions have been happening with increasing frequency in the former capital, and authorities have blamed it on “instigators”.

Security forces have killed 759 civilians, according to local monitoring group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Violence erupted again yesterday in Shan state’s Hsipaw township, when security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least one.

“He was shot in the head and died,” said one protester, who said he rushed to hide his friend’s body in case authorities tried to take it away.

“They are asking for his dead body, but we will not give them... We will have his funeral today,” he said.

In northern Kachin state, security forces also fired on protesters, even flinging grenades into the crowd.

A 33-year-old man was shot in the head, a fellow demonstrator said, adding that many others were wounded in the attack.