Anti-coup protesters in Burma flee tear gas fired by law enforcement in Mandalay on March 15, 2021 / AFP
Residents of Yangon fled in numbers on Tuesday a district of Rangoon plagued by violent clashes in recent days, while families of pro-democracy demonstrators prepare to bury their dead after “the bloodbath” of the security forces .
More than 180 civilians have been killed since the February 1 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners (AAPP).
The toll has grown considerably over the past three days, the junta seeming more determined than ever to suppress the protest while ignoring the many international condemnations.
Faced with this, some residents decided to leave Yangon.
In Hlaing Tharyar, an industrial suburb of the economic capital that is home to poor workers employed in textile factories, many of them left the neighborhood in a rush Tuesday morning.
Some have crammed their belongings and pets into trucks, tuk-tuks or two-wheelers, according to images broadcast by local media.
“We have seen people on the roads with loss of street (who) flee to return to their region of origin,” noted another publication.
Martial law was declared Sunday in this suburb after the fire of several Chinese factories by attackers. Security forces were then deployed in large numbers, opening fire and killing dozens of demonstrators.
Anyone arrested in the neighborhood and the other five townships of Rangoon where martial law has been established risk being referred to a military court, with a minimum sentence of three years of forced labor.
Protests in Burma / AFP
Burma is preparing to bury its dead on Tuesday.
At least 20 protesters were killed the day before, according to the AAPP. Sunday marked the bloodiest day of repression with 74 civilians shot dead, the junta reporting the death of a police officer.
“Many teenagers have been killed and the use of live ammunition intensifies even at night,” laments the AAPP.
When asked, the army did not respond to AFP’s requests.
– «Martyrs» –
The funerals of several demonstrators are to be held Tuesday in the country, especially in Rangoon.
Vigils were held that night across Burma, according to images posted on social networks.
“RIP” (Rest in Peace), wrote with candlelight residents of Mandalay, the country’s second largest city. “We support our martyrs”, “we will fight to the end”, we could read on social networks.
Small scattered groups of protesters gathered in Yangon on Tuesday, but they were few in number for fear of reprisals, AFP journalists noted.
The junta has also cut mobile internet connections since Sunday, making coordination between the protesters more difficult. These were still not restored late Tuesday morning.
The violence of the last few days has provoked a new concert of international protests. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has thus denounced, through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, a “bloodbath”. He also called on the international community “including regional actors, to come together in solidarity with the Burmese people and their democratic aspirations”.
Washington, for its part, urged unity “against the coup and the escalation of violence”.
After Sunday’s violence, during which 30 Chinese factories were attacked according to state media, Beijing said it was “very concerned” for the safety of its citizens in Burma.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on the authorities to take measures “resolutely to prevent such incidents from happening again.”
Resentment towards China has intensified in recent weeks in Burma, with some believing its stance vis-à-vis the Burmese generals is not firm enough.
– 2,200 arrests –
The army is also responding in the judicial field.
Politicians, local officials, activists, artists, striking officials: nearly 2,200 people have been arrested since February 1 according to the AAPP, including Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, still held in solitary confinement.
The former de facto head of the civilian government was due to appear by videoconference on Monday, but the hearing was postponed due to lack of internet.
The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate is charged with four offenses. She is also accused of corruption, the regime claiming that she received as bribes $ 600,000 and more than 11 kilos of gold.
The next hearing is due to be held on March 24.
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