Myanmar protesters call for ‘spring revolution’

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

Cities, rural areas, remote mountainous regions and even rebel-controlled border territories have been in uproar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup. The junta has aimed to suppress dissent through a brutal crackdown involving mass arrests and an escalating death toll. Demonstrations kicked off early in commercial hub Yangon as activists called for a show of force. Youths gathered on a street corner before marching swiftly down the streets in a flash mob, dispersing soon after to avoid clashing with authorities.

Local media reported that security forces were chasing protesters down and arresting them. Bomb blasts also went off across different parts of Yangon yesterday. Explosions have been happening with increasing frequency in the former capital, and authorities have blamed it on “instigators”.

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

The junta says 258 protesters have been killed, along with 17 policemen and seven soldiers. Violence erupted again yesterday in Shan state’s Hsipaw township, when security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least one. In northern Kachin state, security forces also fired on protesters, even flinging grenades into the crowd.

The junta’s violence against civilians has drawn the ire of Myanmar’s myriad ethnic armies.