One Month of Myanmar's Call for Democratization... Over 770 Arrested Amid Gunfire and Violent Crackdown

(Source: The Guardian)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As Myanmar's anti-coup protests enter their second month, the number of arrests due to violent crackdowns by the military has surged to around 770. On the 27th, military police reportedly opened fire on protesters again, injuring at least one person. With the protest leadership announcing a second general strike, concerns are rising over a bloody confrontation escalating between the two sides.

The British Guardian reported that Myanmar police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, and a woman participating in the protests was shot. This woman, who took part in protests in the central town of Mongyu, was injured by gunfire from police attempting to suppress the demonstrations.

Earlier, multiple local media outlets reported that the woman had died, but a representative from an ambulance service stated that she is currently receiving treatment in a hospital and her life is not in danger.

The Guardian, citing local media reports, said that from the morning of that day, scenes of protesters being beaten or having guns pointed at them were captured across the country, including in the largest city Yangon and the second-largest city Mandalay.

Since the coup on the 1st, at least four civilians have died from gunfire by military police. On the 9th, a woman participating in protests in the capital Naypyidaw was shot and died ten days later. On the 20th, at least two people died from indiscriminate shootings in Mandalay, and a man in his 30s from a vigilante group died in Yangon.

Additionally, a large-scale arrest operation was conducted at the protest sites that day, and a significant number of journalists covering the events were reportedly detained. In the Mongyu area, many journalists who were live-streaming the situation on social media were arrested, according to the local media outlet 'Myanmar Now.'

AFP reported that three journalists, including a Myanmar Now reporter, were arrested in Yangon. The police had also arrested and later released a Japanese freelance journalist in downtown Yangon the previous day.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) announced that since the coup on the 1st, at least 771 people have been arrested, with 82 of them released.