[Summary] "Just Shoot Me Instead"... Myanmar Nun Blocks Armed Police Barehanded

"Begging Not to Shoot at Protesters"

Nun An Nu Taung is appealing to the Myanmar police to refrain from violence. Photo by Charles Maung Bo, Cardinal, Twitter capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] As the violent crackdown by public authorities against protesters opposing the Myanmar military coup intensifies, the image of a nun risking her life by taking to the streets is touching the hearts of many.

Charles Maung Bo, the chairman of the Myanmar Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of the Yangon Archdiocese, posted several photos showing the situation in Myanmar on his Twitter account on the 28th of last month (local time).

Among the released photos, one striking image shows a nun raising both hands and crying out in front of armed police officers. Another photo captures the nun kneeling in the middle of the road, pleading for restraint from violence. The nun in the photos is Sister An Nu Taung from St. Francis Xavier Convent in Myitkyina, a city in northern Myanmar.

In the post accompanying the photos, Archbishop Bo wrote, "Sister Nu Taung is pleading with the civilians protesting for freedom and human rights not to be shot." It is reported that Sister Nu Taung shouted at the scene, "Please don't shoot. Don't kill innocent people. If you want, shoot me."

Nun An Nu Taung is appealing to the Myanmar police to refrain from violence. Photo by Charles Maung Bo, Cardinal, Twitter capture.

On the day the photos were taken, at least 18 protesters were killed and more than 30 injured due to the military and police's violent suppression in Myanmar. This day is known as "Bloody Monday" due to the worst casualties since the coup.

It is reported that the police, who were suppressing the protests, stopped their march and lowered their guns in response to Sister Nu Taung's courageous appeal.

Moreover, Sister Nu Taung provided the convent as a refuge for protesters fleeing the police and helped with emergency treatment for the injured. A woman who participated in the protest said, "Thanks to the nun, I miraculously saved my life. She is the savior of my life." Another person at the scene said, "It was through the nun's sincere request that the soldiers' violence was restrained. She immediately rushed to treat the injured."

The photos released by Archbishop Bo were published in well-known Italian Catholic media outlets, delivering a message of peace to believers worldwide.