18th February, 2021 #day18

 

Today’s trending news among Myanmar’s social media users include the violent crackdown on protests in Myitkyina and Mandalay, attacks of some pro-military and nationalist monks and civilians toward vehicles with the NLD insignia, and military exercises of two U.S. aircraft carriers in the South China Sea. News of the arrest of staffs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a soldier joining a protest in Monywa, and an appointment of the new minister of education have also gained public attention.

Protests in Mandalay and Myitkyina have been thwarted again by security forces today. According to reports, the midnight shooting in Mandalay targeted railway crews. There were a number of injuries and arrests. Security forces, including hundreds of soldiers quickly stopped the protests in Myitkyina and arrested many. An official of the KIA, a Kachin armed group, told the media that a local military officer had warned the KIA not to interfere during the crackdown. He added that the KIA had to issue a statement yesterday due to the above circumstances. Some netizens argue that the coup government is deliberately carrying out violent crackdowns in less populated areas and less media-influenced areas first and claim that crackdown is expected to take place in Yangon later.

In Naypyidaw, the administrative city, civil servants involved in the CDM are being forced to return to work and arrests are being made. Today, at dawn, nine junior staffs of the Foreign Affairs office have been arrested at their house for joining the CDM. Some reports put the number at eleven. The whereabouts of these detainees are still unknown. They are reportedly being prosecuted under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code for defamation of the government. This section carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and is not usually granted bail. It is also a common article used to prosecute many politicians. The MOFA is one of the least-represented ministries in the CDM, and according to some of its staff, the Myanmar embassies around the world has been forced to issue letters saying that the embassy is continue working under the new regime.

Surprisingly, a soldier with the rank of sergeant joined the protest in Monywa, Sagaing Division. Many police across the country joined the protests, but he is the first soldier to take part in a street protest. He has received many praises on social media, but some have suggested that the soldier may be a fake and that he may have been involved in spying.

In Yangon, some monks and civilians, believed to be pro-military and nationalist activists, smashed NLD-branded vehicles with sticks and stones in Bahan Township this morning. The perpetrators fled to a nearby monastery, prompting residents and protesters to release the monks. The tension was escalated quickly and police had to provide security for the monasteries. People are being warned to be careful as these monks and civilians were seemed to be deliberately inciting religious tensions.

US two aricraft carriers entering the South China Sea and conducting a military demonstration have attracted the attention of protesters in Myanmar. There are widespread rumors that the US will be at war with China and will soon enter Myanmar’s territorial waters in the Andaman Sea and invade Myanmar. At the same time, the junta has officially announced that it will conduct naval artillery exercises in Myanmar’s waters. China has not yet commented on the case, but the Chinese embassy of Myanmar has expressed its government views on the current situation in Myanmar.

Students have ridiculed the appointment of a education minister who has been notorious for bribery and sexual harassment. The junta has announced that schools will soon reopen, but students have criticized about the internet blockade of hundreds of education-related websites since the coup.