Despite killing more than 200 protesters so far, the protesters were back on the streets on Friday morning in several cities and towns.
Authorities in Myanmar arrested a spokesperson for the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party as they are intensifying efforts to disseminate information about last month’s growing protest against the military takeover.
Despite killing more than 200 protesters so far, the protesters were back on the streets on Friday morning in several cities and towns. Some rallies proceeded without incident, but in the town of Aungbon in eastern Shan State, the online Taclik news agency reported that security forces tried to break up their march using tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Less than seven people were injured.
The Independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported that on Thursday, it confirmed 224 killings involving the coup, more than half in Yangon, the largest city. It added that 2,258 people have been arrested or charged, 1,938 people are still detained or not arrested.
National League for Democracy spokesman Kei Toe was arrested on Thursday, according to the Facebook post of Fio Zeya Thaw, an elected legislator from his party. The arrest was also reported by respected local journalist, Mirat Kyaw Thu, on Friday.
Qi Toe was a major source of information in the early days following the coup on 1 February, after State Counselor Suu Kyi and President Vin Myint were detained along with other senior members of the party. The takeover prevented the NLD and other MPs from taking the seats they had won in the last November election.
The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule. After Geo-electoral victory, Suu Kyi’s party was to take power for a second five-year term.
Privately owned newspapers were not published this week for the first time in eight years following the ban and voluntary suspension. The military government has banned at least five local news organizations from disseminating information on any platform, print, broadcast or online, but its orders were mostly ignored. About 40 journalists have been arrested, with nearly half still in custody, including Din Zaw of the Associated Press.
Internet ban has been in force for some time after the coup. He began with a largely ineffective block of social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter, and was followed by a one-night suspension of mobile Internet from 1 pm to 9 pm, following a twenty-four-hour halt from last Sunday Increased. However, broadband Wi-Fi service is available.
The flow of information is even more restricted in the six townships of Yangon, which have been under martial law since Monday. Movement in and out of those neighborhoods is difficult and some residents cut off their electricity.
On Sunday, police violence had devastated areas in which dozens of protesters had died.
In the strongest statements issued by a fellow Southeast Asian nation, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Friday urged violence in Myanmar to stop and asked other leaders to hold a regional summit on the crisis.
“Indonesia urges that the use of violence in Myanmar be stopped immediately to avoid more victims. The safety and welfare of the people should be a top priority.
“Indonesia also urges dialogue and reconciliation to restore democracy, peace and stability in Myanmar.” Mr. Widodo, the leader of Southeast Asia’s largest economy, said he would immediately speak to the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Brunei, to set up a meeting of leaders of its 10 member countries.
Mr Widodo’s move came after ASEAN foreign ministers held a March 2 meeting in which they did not reach consensus on the crisis.
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