12th April, 2021 #day71

 

People are condemning the junta for plotting to provoke religious violence after a young man who called to prayer service at the Bismillah Mosque in Tamwe, Yangon, was murdered around 4 am this morning. Kyaw Bo Bo was dressed as a woman, wore make-up, hand tied behind the back and hanged to death at the mosque he lived, according to locals. Myanmar Now tried to interview Islamic religious leaders about the incident but they refused to give comment due to pressure from the junta. Netizens claim that in the past the junta’s troops deliberately incited violence and abducted in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods in Yangon. It is speculated that he may have been attacked while he was alone because he registered a guest list at the Ward administrative office the day before the murder. Across the country, young protesters are calling to boycott the registration of guest lists, but most seniors are still doing it out of fear.

The junta has been not only cracking down violently on street protests, but also attacking brutally on insurgents in ethnic areas. According to social media pages close to the KIA, the junta carried out 16 airstrikes on Alaw Bum hill – near KIA headquarters in Kachin State today and several artillery shells since April 11. An official from the KIA confirmed that many junta’s troops, including the commander of the 387th Infantry Battalion, were killed in the heavy fighting near the Alaw Bum, DVB reported. The fighter jets are rumoured to be using Chinese airspace.

In Tamu, hundreds of soldiers launched a dawn attack against protesters' strongholds as they did in Kalay a few days ago. Heavy weapons and bulldozer were being used, according to local media and citizen journalists. More than a dozen soldiers have been killed in recent clashes as locals resist with handmade rifles. Tamu Security Group wrote on its social media page that at least two civilians were killed and many injured and that soldiers raided Grace private hospital and beat staffs and arrested a child. On April 10, similar attacks killed 82 civilians in Bago, according to the AAPP. The junta has filed another lawsuit against Aung San Suu Kyi under the Natural Disaster Management Law, bringing the total to six, according to Khit Thit Media. She has repeatedly asked to see her lawyer but has been denied. A well-known pastor in Tedim, Chin State, Rev. Khup Khen Pau and his wife have been abducted by the junta at yesterday midnight, according to Chin World. Locals said that they have been taken hostages as their two sons actively involve in the CDM movement.

The Burma Associated Press reports that the military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, visited Hlaing Tha Yar, which has been declared a martial law. He was seen wearing a bracelet which Buddhists often used as protecting from evil spirits and carrying a pistol strapped to his waist, prompting netizens to joke that he is scared despite presence of many bodyguards. Moreover, he also reportedly wears a bulletproof vest at ceremonies. A linked statement from the SSPP in Shan State says that it would take action against its soldier who open fired at a military helicopter on April 10 injuring an officer. The SSPP has been criticized for trying to build relations with the junta amidst the brutal killings and protests.

The Special Advisory Commission on Myanmar, referring the Bago incident, said that “Myanmar is in a state of terror and lawlessness,” and called on the UN Secretary-General to take immediate action to stop the killings. According to the AAPP, 710 civilians, including 82 in Bago and 50 children, have been killed by the junta’s troops. More than 3,080 people have been arrested. Many of them are not allowed to see lawyers and their whereabouts are unknown to family members. Traders on the Chinese side are reportedly buying watermelons from Myanmar at exorbitant prices, prompting the Myanmar people to call for #WatermelonStrikeand buy more local watermelons.