Continuous Bloody Crackdown on Anti-Myanmar Coup Protests... Death Toll Exceeds 400

On the 3rd (local time), a soldier carrying a gun stands next to a participant who was detained during an anti-military coup protest in Mandalay, Myanmar.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] On the 27th (local time), known as 'Myanmar Armed Forces Day,' the Myanmar military and police opened indiscriminate fire on protesters condemning the coup, resulting in over 100 civilian deaths on that day alone, bringing the total death toll to more than 400.

On the 28th, foreign media including the AP News cited the local online outlet Myanmar Now, reporting that 114 civilians died the previous day. This is the highest daily death toll since the military coup occurred in February.

When combined with the cumulative death toll of 328 compiled by the Myanmar human rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) up to the 26th, a staggering total of approximately 450 civilians have died due to the Myanmar military and police's indiscriminate violent crackdown.

It was also reported that civilians who did not participate in the protests were shot and killed. A nurse working in the Yangon area said, "Even water delivery workers and passersby were shot and died."

In Myanmar, March 27 was originally named 'Resistance Day' to commemorate the start of armed struggle against the Japanese army occupying Myanmar during World War II in 1945. However, after the military seized control of the country through a coup in 1962, the name was changed to 'Myanmar Armed Forces Day.'

On this year's 'Myanmar Armed Forces Day,' citizens renamed it back to its original name, 'Resistance Day,' and launched a nationwide anti-coup movement. However, the military mobilized large numbers of soldiers and weapons to hold a military parade while carrying out a massive bloody crackdown on citizens. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military, warned of a harsh crackdown on protesters in a TV speech before the parade, stating, "Violent acts that threaten stability and safety are inappropriate and unacceptable."