Citizens' Fear Amid the 'Silent Ttinjan' and Its Complete Opposite
On the 14th, Myanmar military cadets dance while sprinkling water to the music. Photo by Irrawaddy capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Myanmar is observing the Thingyan holiday, its biggest festival of the year, this week, but due to the military's violent crackdown resulting in the deaths of over 700 civilians, citizens are spending the holiday quietly without celebration. However, the soldiers are showing a contrasting behavior by enjoying the Thingyan festival without concern.
On the 15th, local media outlet The Irrawaddy released a video showing cadets at a military academy in Mandalay enjoying the Thingyan festival the previous day.
With loud music playing, hundreds of cadets dressed in colorful clothes are seen waving their hands in the air and dancing energetically.
The video also captured people enjoying the festival by spraying water using hoses and water guns.
The Irrawaddy reported, "Out of respect for the hundreds of civilians who have died since the February coup, people elsewhere have refused to celebrate the Thingyan festival."
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the interim government of the democratic camp, shared this video and stated, "While civilians live in fear, soldiers are celebrating the Thingyan festival. The illegal Myanmar military is closer to a foreign army invading Myanmar."
They further criticized, "They do not even care about the COVID-19 rules they themselves established."
One netizen expressed anger, saying, "Myanmar soldiers are holding the Thingyan festival after killing more than 700 people."
Meanwhile, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the number of civilians confirmed dead as of the previous day is 715.
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