Myanmar crackdown: Forces kill 7

Security forces in Myanmar on Saturday (local time) again met protests against last month’s military takeover with lethal force, killing at least seven people by shooting live ammunition at demonstrators.

Four deaths were reported in Mandalay, the country’s secondbiggest city, two in Pyay, a town in south-central Myanmar, and one in Twante, a suburb of Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Details of all seven deaths were posted on multiple social media accounts, some accompanied by photos of the victims.

The actual death toll is likely to be higher, as police apparently seized some bodies, and some of the victims suffered grievous gunshot wounds. Many hospitals are occupied by security forces, and as a result are boycotted by medical personnel and shunned by protesters.

The independent UN human rights expert for Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said on Thursday “credible reports” indicated security forces in the Southeast Asian nation had so far killed at least 70 people, and cited growing evidence of crimes against humanity since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Other unofficial but carefully compiled tallies put the total number of deaths since the coup at about 90.

The latest killings did not faze demonstrators in Yangon who crowded a downtown commercial area past the official 8pm curfew to hold a mass candlelight vigil.

After-dark rallies was also held in Mandalay and elsewhere.

Reports on social media also said three people were shot dead on Friday night in Yangon, where residents for the past week have been defying the curfew.

The night protests may reflect a more aggressive approach to selfdefence advocated by some protesters. Police had been aggressively patrolling residential neighbourhoods at night, firing into the air and setting off stun grenades in an effort at intimidation. They have also been carrying out targeted raids, taking people from their homes. In at least two known cases, the detainees died in custody.

Another possible indication of heightened resistance emerged Saturday with photos posted online of a railway bridge, on the line from Mandalay to Myitkyina, said to have been damaged by an explosive charge.

In Washington yesterday, the Biden administration announced it is offering temporary legal residency to people from Myanmar, citing the military’s takeover and ongoing deadly force against civilians. —AP