Myanmar police open fire on protesters in Mandalay
Police opened fire on protesters in the Myanmar city of Mandalay on Saturday, leaving at least two dead; according to volunteer emergency workers cited by Reuters and AFP news agencies who have reporters on the ground.
One of the victims was shot in the head and died at the scene; according to Frontier Myanmar; a news and business magazine. Another was shot in the chest and died en route to the hospital.
Several other serious injuries were also reported. The shootings occurred near Mandalay’s Yadanabon dock; where tear gas and rubber bullets were used on protesters earlier in the day.
Security forces had been increasing their pressure against anti-coup protesters earlier Saturday; using water cannons; tear gas, slingshots, and rubber bullets against demonstrators and striking dockworkers in Mandalay.
At least five people were injured by rubber bullets and had to be carried away in ambulances, according to an Associated Press journalist who witnessed the violence.
TW: blood, gunshot
Another gun shot in Yangon just now. Head shot by police to civilian who stop them while he's on night duty for taking care of the residence.Myanmar citizens are losing Human Rights.@UNHumanRights #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#Feb20Coup #CrimesAgainstHumanity pic.twitter.com/gKkK6DNErh— Moxie Moon (@Claire11890358) February 20, 2021
Earlier in the week in Mandalay, security forces cracked down on state railway workers in a similar fashion after they joined the civil disobedience movement.
Less than an hour after the 8 p.m. curfew started on Wednesday, gunshots were heard as more than two dozen police officers with shields and helmets marched past railway workers’ housing. Numerous videos posted on social media showed muzzle flashes as shots were heard, and some police shot slingshots and threw rocks at the buildings. Marching chants of “left, right, left, right” could be heard along with shouts of “shoot, shoot.”
Protests and civil disobedience movements against the military coup on February 1 have been the biggest in decades; with thousands calling for Suu Kyi to be released from detention and power be handed back to civilian control.
Myanmar Academy Award-winning actress Paing Phyo Thu went into hiding with her director husband Na Gyi on Thursday along with other celebrities opposing the coup who was added to an arrest list.
The United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar; Tom Andrews; said earlier in the week he was “terrified” of the potential for violence; if the planned mass protests and military troops converge.
