By Reuters Staff
5 Min Read
(Reuters) - Security forces killed at least 22 anti-coup protesters in the poor, industrial Hlaingthaya suburb of Myanmar’s main city on Sunday after Chinese-financed factories were set ablaze there, an advocacy group said.
A further 16 protesters were killed in other places, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said, as well as one policeman, making it the bloodiest day since the Feb. 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Chinese embassy said many Chinese staff were injured and trapped in arson attacks by unidentified assailants on garment factories in Hlaingthaya and that it had called on Myanmar to protect Chinese property and citizens. China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta that has taken power.
Anti-coup demonstrators pushed on with protests on Sunday – as Myanmar neared its seventh week under military rule – with a group of MPs in hiding urging them to move with “invincibility” to overcome the nation’s “darkest moment”.
Witnesses and local media reported that at least two people were killed on Sunday when security forces fired on the protesters.
A young man was shot and killed in the town of Bago, near the commercial capital, Yangon, witnesses and local media said.
Kyaw Swar, a resident and protester from Bago city, told dpa news agency that a fellow demonstrator was killed by a gunshot and that several others were injured.
It s national coordinator Tinmama Oo came to New Zealand from Myanmar as a refugee. She said the people in Myanmar deserve the same freedoms and human rights as the rest of the world. All of us who care about human rights, and who care about peace and stability and security, matters are getting worse. And then it s our young talented people in the forefront, fighting for their future. We just can t handle another five decades [of instability].
Myanmar civilian leader says people should defend themselves
The acting leader of Myanmar s parallel civilian government Mahn Win Khaing Than, addressed the public via Facebook, saying, This is the darkest moment of the nation and the moment that the dawn is close .
12 killed in Myanmar protests thenews.com.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews.com.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
12 killed in Myanmar protests thenews.com.pk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews.com.pk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.