Women carry pots of flowers as they take part in a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, 13 April 2021. REUTERS / Stringer
Opponents of military rule in Myanmar on Friday observed a ‘silent strike’, with many people staying home to mourn the more than 700 people killed in protests against a February 1 coup, and others wearing black, held small marches in various cities and towns.
Many Myanmar citizens, furious at the return of military rule after five years of civilian rule led by Democratic champion Aung San Suu Kyi, took to the streets day after day with activists inventing new ways to show opposition while the security forces act their oppression.
“Let’s silence the roads,” protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on her Facebook page.
“We must strike a silent strike to show our sorrow for the martyrs who frightened their lives. The quietest voice is the loudest.”
Friday is the fourth day of the five-day traditional Buddhist New Year holiday, known as Thingyan. Most people avoid the usual festivals this year to focus on their campaign against the generals who overthrew Suu Kyi’s government and locked her up and many others.
Streets in the capital Yangon were largely deserted, residents said, while black-clad protesters held small rallies in half a dozen cities and towns.
There were no immediate reports of violence, but two people were shot dead overnight in central Myingyan city, Radio Free Asia reported.
A junta spokesman could not be reached for comment.
The military has also gathered its critics and published the names of more than 200 people wanted under a law that makes it illegal to encourage mutiny or dereliction of duty in the military.
Two prominent protest organizers were arrested on Thursday along with an actor and singer, both known for speaking out against the coup.
Late Thursday, soldiers raided a famous Buddhist monastery in the second city of Mandalay and arrested two people, media group Myanmar Now reported.
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Opponents have lined up inside and outside the world to bolster their campaign.
A previously unknown group called the Ayeyarwaddy Federal Army said on Facebook that it is fighting the military battle to restore an elected government and protect the people, and it is asking for volunteers.
It gave no details on how it wanted to tackle the well-equipped and experienced army, which has been battling ethnic minority insurgents for decades.
International pressure also slowly built up on the military, especially from Western governments, although the military has a long record of outside pressure.
The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on 10 more individuals linked to the coup and to target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest of the military takeover, two diplomats said. read more
While the EU had a arms embargo on Myanmar last month and targeted 11 senior military officials, the decision to target the two companies is the main response for the bloc since the coup.
EU diplomats told Reuters in March that parts of the army’s conglomerates, Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), would be targeted, preventing EU investors and banks from doing business with them. .
Human rights groups have also called for their approval.
The EU declined to comment and no one was able to reach Myanmar’s EU mission in Brussels for comment.
In rare action by an Asian company, South Korean POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co Ltd (POSCO C&C) (058430.KS) said on Friday it would terminate its joint venture with MEHL. read more
The firm did not give details on how it would terminate the business, but a spokesman told Reuters while terminating the business’s relationship did not pull it out of Myanmar.
Leaders of Southeast Asian neighbors, who tried to encourage talks between rival Myanmar parties, will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported.
Junta minister senior general Min Aung Hlaing would attend, a Thai broadcaster said, but the Jakarta Post said it had not been confirmed whether representatives of the junta or the former government would be at the summit.
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