Protests, civil disobedience grow

NAYPYIDAW: Police fired a water cannon at protesters in the Myanmar capital yesterday as tens of thousands of people joined a third day of nationwide demonstrations against the military’s removal of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Calls to protest and back a campaign of civil disobedience have grown more organised since last Monday’s coup.

‘‘We health workers are leading this campaign to urge all government staff to join the [civil disobedience movement],’’ nurse Aye Misan said in Yangon.

‘‘Our message to the public is that we aim to completely abolish this military regime and we have to fight for our destiny.’’

Police in the capital Naypyidaw fired brief bursts of a water cannon against a group of the protesters, video showed.

Thousands marched also in the southeastern city of Dawei and in the Kachin state capital in the far north, the crowds reflecting a rejection of military rule by diverse ethnic groups, even those who have been critical of Suu Kyi and accused her government of neglecting minorities.

In Yangon, saffronrobed monks marched with workers and students. They flew multicoloured Buddhist flags alongside red banners in the colour of Suu Kyi’s National league for Democracy (NLD), which won November’s election.

‘‘Release Our Leaders, Respect Our Votes, Reject Military Coup,’’ said one sign. Another read, ‘‘Say No to Dictatorship’’.

So far, gatherings have been peaceful, unlike bloody crackdowns during protests in 1988 and 2007. A convoy of military trucks was seen entering Yangon late on Sunday, raising fears that could change.

Reuters has been unable to contact the junta for comment; state television last night said the country refused to accept lawless wrongdoers.

As well as street protests, a civil disobedience campaign has begun, first with doctors and joined by some teachers and other government workers; organisers asked all government departments’ staff not to attend work from yesterday. — Reuters