At least two people were killed and dozens more injured in Burma’s protests during a February 1 military coup that led to the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s de facto leader.
Violence erupted in Mandalay, Burma’s second largest city with a population of about 1.2 million people.
“One person died before my eyes, he was shot in the head. I can not say the exact age, but it turns out it was a young boy. … A friend of mine saw the same, another “A person was shot dead in front of his eyes, so I can say with certainty that two were killed instantly,” said Pyae Sone Aung, a freelance photojournalist from Mandalay who attended the rally.
One of the men killed was identified by family members as Thet Naing Win, a 36-year-old carpenter, Reuters reported.
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According to protesters, people began to gather at a local shipyard in Mandalay at 08:00 in the hope that the military police would not stop inside the city. Things got violent around 2pm when local squatters living along the road threw stones at police forces who used water cannons to control the crowds, Pyae Sone Aung said.
“These people threw sticks and stones, they were not even close to the police,” the witness said.
According to Zone Aung, police started firing bullets into the air and chaos broke out.
“At first we did not know who was shot, it was like a war zone,” Zone Aung said. “All we could do was wait until the police withdrew so that ambulances and paramedics could pick up the bodies, people who had been injured and shot.”
According to Zone Aung, police used live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters.
‘Only when there were gunshots did the people run into houses and disperse, but then everyone felt numb and they knew it was so unfair, they ran out again to see what was happening. – slings shot, rock. ‘
Around noon, the news of the violence reached Yangon – Burma’s largest city with more than 5 million inhabitants.
“A boy has died in Mandalay,” a woman who has both U.S. and Burmese citizenship and lives in Yangon said in a WhatsApp message to Fox News on condition of anonymity. “He volunteered to help injured people during the repression by the army where he was shot in the head.
She continues: “During the last 19 days … it’s the worst today. People say we should not fight the army and the police … That’s what the army wants … so that the UN and the USA come in. ‘
A young woman, Nay Pyi Taw, died Friday night from injuries sustained during a February 9 protest.
“We condemn any violence against the people of Burma and reiterate our call on the Burmese army to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters,” said Ned Price, spokesman for the foreign ministry. “Together with partners and allies, we will press the Burmese army to reverse their actions and help the people of Burma realize their pursuit of peace, democracy and the rule of law.”
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For some people in the country, however, strong words from foreign powers are not enough.
“We want the United States to intervene,” the American / Burmese woman said in Yangon. “Instead of words, send letters that they condemn the coup, they should act and demand Aung San Su Kyi’s release.”