In a statement on the MRTV channel run by the government, the military warned that ‘democracy can be destroyed’ without discipline, and that people who ‘harm the state’s stability, public safety and the rule of law’ can take legal action.
For the third Judgment Day on Monday, thousands of people in cities across the country marched against the military takeover, demanding the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected lawmakers.
In the capital, Naypyidaw, police used water cannons against protesters chanting anti-coup slogans and demanding that power be returned to elected leaders, according to Reuters. Protesters dispersed after police told them they would fire live ammunition if they crossed a police line on one of the city’s highways.
On live feeds posted on social media, protesters can be heard shouting: ‘the people stand together against the dictator’s government’ and hold banners with portraits of Suu Kyi’s face.
Members of the Student Union led the first wave of protests, with teachers and engineers joining the Yangon crowd. Saffron-clad monks could be seen supporting the crowd standing outside temples, raising the three-finger salute and waving.
“We are not going to allow this military dictatorship to be passed on to our next generation. We will continue our protest until this dictatorship fails,” said Soe Maung Maung, a Yangon resident.
The Embassy of the United States has said it has received reports that curfews have been imposed in Yangon and the city of Mandalay from 8pm to 4pm
The U.S. State Department said it was “very concerned” about military restrictions on public gatherings and supported the country’s peaceful protests.
“We stand with the people who support their right to assemble peacefully, including peacefully protesting in support of democratically elected governments, and the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek information. online and offline, “spokesman Ned Price said.
In his first public televised speech since taking power, General Min Aung Hlaing on Monday urged citizens to prioritize ‘facts’ and not ‘feelings’, promising to hold ‘free and fair’ elections and power to hand over to the winner.
He did not say when elections would be held, but repeatedly claimed that the poll in November 2020 – in which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD) won an overwhelming victory – was fraudulent. The state of emergency, imposed when Min Aung Hlaing took power, is for one year.
The Electoral Commission denied the claims, saying irregularities would not have been enough to change the overall outcome.
In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing said that a new election commission had been set up and that it was examining the lists.
Analysts said the military’s justification for its takeover did not stand up because the military had created its own constitution, which it drafted in 2008.
Civilian leader Suu Kyi is being held because she was detained several hours before the army took control. She is under house arrest, and is charged with violating the Import and Export Act, while ousted President Win Myint is accused of violating the Natural Disaster Management Act – charges described as ‘trump’.
Myanmar’s human rights organization, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), has documented at least 133 government officials and lawmakers and 14 activists detained since the coup.
“There is reasonable concern that the military junta will turn these peaceful demonstrations into a riot and exploit the instability,” AAPP Joint Secretary-General Bo Kyo said.
“When state institutions are unstable, it is the most marginalized parts of society that suffer, the military has the form of finding fault with someone or another group. This may not be allowed. The peaceful march to democracy must succeed. “
CNN’s Pauline Lockwood, Radina Gigova and Richard Roth reported.