20th February, 2021 #Day20

 

Today’s pro-democracy protest has ended in bloodshed on the streets of Mandalay. It all started when security forces tried to crackdown locals who came to support Yadanarbon Shipyard’s workers doing civil disobedience in Myanmar's second largest city. At first, police and soldiers used water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters. But in the evening, the situation had escalated and security forces stormed the protests by using slingshots, snipers and live ammunitions. Photographic records show that welded screws were also used to injure protesters and motorcyclists. Ambulances rescuing injured patients have also been hit by gunfire.

At least 10 people have been shot and a young man died on the spot from a head wound and another died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Another three were seriously injured, according to reporters at the scene. Some estimates put the number of injured at 40 to 50, but the exact death toll has not been confirmed as of this writing. These shootings and atrocities have angered people across the country. People at the scene commented that three or four hundred bullets were fired and today's incident was like “a war zone.”

The combined statement of the ten ethnic armed organizations that have signed Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government has also gained public attention. After their two-day special meeting, these groups, also known as Peace Process Steering Committee, announced that they will suspend peace talks with the junta. They also added that they will support the protesters, including the CDM movement with any means. Their February 2nd statement drew criticism for saying they would continue peace talks in line with the NCA, but now their position has changed. Today marks as the 73rd Chin National Day. However all the ceremonies were cancelled and protests were organized instead in Chin-majority areas.

The CEO of Woodside Energy, one of the Australia's largest energy companies, said that the coup in Myanmar was a "transitional issue" and did not believe that it would affect its investment plans in Myanmar as the military had promised to hold elections in the next 12 months. Woodside has plan to work with French Total on Myanmar’s A-6 gas block in this year. Peter Coleman also claimed that Western hard sanctions would push Myanmar closer to China. His remarks have drawn criticism from human rights activists at home and abroad. The CEO later issued a statement apologizing for the comments.

Remark: at the time of writing, there are reports that up to four people have been killed in shootings in Mandalay, but no details have been released yet.