15th February, 2021 #day15

Even though there were widespread reports yesterday that protesters would be detained at night and today’s protests would be violently suppressed, there were no reports of violent crackdown in most areas except a few towns. The most influential news among social media users today is the protests in banks, the violent crackdown in Myitkyina, and whether Chinese troops arrived in Yangon by plane at night.

Unlike previous days, protests are becoming more directional and strategic. Protesters were seen in many locations at the same time. Some had been protesting in front of the central bank since the morning urging its staffs to join the CDM and close the bank. Some were seen protesting in front of the UN office and embassies. Some groups gathered near the government housing to protect the central bank’s staffs involved in the CDM from the police. This technique is not only forcing banks to stop operational but also making more difficult for authorities to crackdown the protests. In other cities, protesters are no longer just on the streets as they used to be but they are seen focusing on government offices, banks, and public servants’ housings.

At midnight, security forces opened fire on Myitkyina residents who were protesting against soldiers entering the power station. Rubber bullets and tear gas were used and about 40 shots were fired against the protesters. At least seven people were injured, local media reported. Five journalists were arrested, but released later in the evening. In Naypyitaw, forty students have been arrested today. Moreover, the security forces has blocked all access to the NLD’s headquarter in Yangon and about fifteen NLD’s members has been trapped inside. Earlier this morning, embassies of western countries including the US embassy, issued a letter simultaneously endorsing the peaceful protests and urging the junta not to resort to violence.

Another rumor has been linked to the flights from Kunming to Yangon during last night's internet shutdown. Two MAI flights made six round trips from Kuming to Yangon within eight hours. The departure and landing times of the planes are not listed at Yangon Airport and it is not clear what cargo was on the planes. The Chinese government has previously said it was shipping seafoods, but this time no details have been released from both sides. Among Myanmar’s social media users, some argue that IT equipments and technicians could be on the planes. Some say that Chinese soldiers were on the planes. Photos of some soldiers in Yangon and arm badges have sparked widespread speculation that Chinese soldiers are actually present. However, no media nor individuals can not verify this information and some pointed out that the badge on the soldiers’ arms is the logo of one of the Tatmadaw’s tank battalion.