15th April, 2021 #day74

 

Wai Moe Naing, a prominent youth leader of the #SpringRevolution, was arbitrarily arrested this afternoon. He was beaten and abducted after a car carrying the junta’s plainclothes troops crashed into his motorcycle while leading a protest in Monywa, Sagaing Region. A video footage of him being hit by a car has also been going viral on social media, and according to the car’s license registration website, the license plate of the car is forged. A girl was also abducted there, and both are taken to the Northwest Command, Myanmar Now reported. He has been charged with murder, trespassing, and theft by the military council in connection with the killing of a military’s informant in Monywa. Wai Moe Naing, a 26-year-old Muslim man, has been recognized and admired by young activists for his active involvement in student union activities and national youth policymaking prior to the Spring Revolution. According to Myanmar Now, he was charged with two counts for protesting on 7 July memorial day for the fallen students during the previous Thein Sein administration. Ei Thin Za Maung, a Karen nationality and Christian, is another well-known youth protest leader in Yangon. Tayzar San, a medial doctor and youth activist, is currently leading daily street protests in Mandalay amidst serious threat to his life. People are praising that the Spring revolution is a symbol of unification for Myanmar people as these three youngsters are from three different religious backgrounds and nationalities.

According to the Irrawaddy, 36 celebrities and activists including Daw Myo Myo Aye, Director of the Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar, Actor Zin Win, and Singer Po Po have been arrested today. The strike, led by medical community in Mandalay, was cracked down by plainclothes soldiers as protesters gathered to begin. Last Tuesday, Zaw Thurein Tun, chairman of the Myanmar Computer Professional Association, and his pregnant wife have also been arrested by plainclothes soldiers in Shwebo, Sagaing Region. This morning, a Muslim man was shot dead and two others, including a disabled man, were injured when the junta’s troops opened fire on them at the Sule Mosque in Mandalay's Maha Aung Myay township, according to the Burma Associated Press.

The CRPH will announce the formation of a National Unity Government (NUG) tomorrow, according to sources close to the them. It will reportedly include prominent pro-democracy protest leaders and leaders of ethnic nationalities. Many believe that the current anti-dictatorship movement is more likely to intensify and gain the international recognition once the NUG is formed. The number of street protests has significantly reduced, and public fears have intensified in the past few weeks due to the daily brutal crackdown. Despite frequent communication between the CRPH and the international governments, it has not yet been officially recognized as a government. The CRPH has also announced today that it will broadcast Public Voice Television (PVTV) https://www.facebook.com/Public-Voice-Television-102986271923475  to share information about the new government.

The junta is taking advantage of the internet block to spread misinformation among general public. Many claimed that plainclothes soldiers are distributing pamphlets which urge people to stop banging pots and pans at 8 p.m. every night, to enjoy in the water festival, not to trust power-hungry CRPH and NLD, not to risk their lives. According to DVB, more than 30 members of the junta have been killed by KIA landmines in Momauk, Kachin State, and the KIA captured 18 on March 30 near Alaw Bum. The junta-run newspaper announced that a military tribunal sentenced three people to 20 years in prison under Section 436 of the Penal Code for setting fire to a ward administrative office in Yangon’s Shwepyithar township, which has been declared martial law. Netizens claimed that these three locals were actually arrested for putting out the blaze. Fires have been reported in many parts of Yangon especially at night since the coup.

The embassies of the four Nordic countries called for an end to the violent attacks on the peaceful protesters during the New Year, freedom of expression, the right to form associations, access to the internet. The European Union (EU) will impose sanctions on 10 people linked to the coup and two junta businesses, according to a Reuters reporter. The BBC reported that Myanmar doctors applying to get license in the UK will no longer need to provide a letter of recommendation from the Myanmar Medical Council.