13th March, 2021 #day41

 The death toll from the violence is rising day by day. Forty days after the coup, the total number has risen to nearly 100. The dead included minors, pregnant women, fathers, and people of different gender and religions. Today, at least 12 people were killed across the country, and at least five in Yangon alone, according to several reports. As violence escalates, protesters especially young people claim that non-violence methods have become increasingly ineffective, prompting widespread calls for a strong retaliation against members of the armed forces. But some are warning that as current military is a brutal one, if the protesters respond in violent ways, the situation could get worse and the death toll could rise rapidly. They argue that like in many remote ethnic areas, the military could use some extreme and inhuman methods such as arson attacks, rapes, killings, and even bombing with fighter jets in cities as well. However, this view is gradually becoming less influential among young protesters.

According to local media, the army has taken away the bodies of those who died of gunshot wounds and has not returned bodies to their families after the deaths in custody. Social media users accuse these actions as an attempt by the military to destroy the evidences or to alter the cause of the deaths. The body of the NLD leader, who died in military custody a few days ago, returned to his family with signs of severe torture, but the military said injuries are from an accidental fall from the building.

Mann Win Khaing Than, CRPH's new acting vice president, delivered his first state-of-the-nation address online today. He, like other NLD leaders, was under house arrest but escaped. In his six-and-a-half-minute speech, he said that although this is the darkest time in Myanmar, there will be light soon. In his speech, the CRPH would draft the necessary laws for the people's self-defense, the administrations would be carried out by the interim people's administrative groups, and the security forces and civil servants should be loyal to the state and its citizens rather than the interests of a group of people. He also added that the 2008 constitution would be repealed and a law based on federal democracy would be drafted, and security and defence measures would be put in place for the people.

Japan announces that it has suspended Myanmar's only satellite program. The $15 million joint venture between Japan and Myanmar is set up to monitor agriculture and fisheries, but the Japanese side shut down the program as there is widespread concern about the potential misuse of it for military purposes, according to Reuters. People are also calling for a boycott of the Chinese-based Huwaei technology company. It is widely reported that the military council is implementing facial recognition surveillance investigations similar to those in China, with the assist of the company.

Photos of the US Air Force Boeing C 17 Globemaster at Yangon International Airport have received attention of Myanmar social media users. Many say that the arrival of the plane may have been due to the repatriation of U.S citizens. Leaders of the four established democracies - the United States, Japan, Australia and India - have held their first historic four-nation summit or Quad Summit to discuss issues including the South China Sea, Asia-Pacific regions, Covid vaccinations, and Myanmar's coup. In a statement issued after the meeting, they said they would emphasise on restoring democracy as they have always been supportive of Myanmar and its citizens.