At least four people were shot dead during the protests in Myanmar on Sunday as the army began the most severe repression to date on the daily protests against the month-old coup.
As large-scale protest rallies took place across the country, the security forces appeared to have taken a more aggressive approach, using firearms faster and arresting groups of protesters before their marches could begin.
In the southern city of Dawei, police opened fire on a crowd of hundreds, witnesses said. At least three people were killed and more than 50 wounded, said Dr. Tun Min said, who treated the injured in a hospital. A second doctor, who for fear of retaliation asked not to be named, confirmed the numbers.
In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, a 23-year-old man named Hein Htut Aung was shot dead during a protest rally. His death was confirmed by Nadi Ayar Hospital, where he was taken after the shooting.
The death toll on Sunday has put at least seven people killed during the protests since the February 1 coup that ousted the civilian government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the most popular politician in Myanmar has.