28th February, 2021 #Day28

 

Today marks the deadliest day since the coup. Many young people can never return to their homes. Memorabilia of the injured and dead are all over the social media accounts. Protesters marched peacefully on the Milk Tea Alliance Day, but faced severe crackdowns. People are shocked and hearth-broken by the degree of brutality of the crackdown across the country. Today alone, at least 20 people were killed by gunfire. According to some reports, there are 23 dead but some estimates the death tolls reach at least 27. Some are still in the ICU and many are seriously injured from the gun-wounds. Protesters were killed in at least eight cities and the deadliest cases happened in Dawei, Myeik, and Yangon. Throughout the country, people were holding candlelight vigil in memorial of the victims on the streets before the curfew.

At least 30 people have already been killed and hundreds have been severely injured since the February 1st. Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, have been arrested again today, bringing the total number of detainees to more than 1,000. The police are reportedly demanding money from the detainees. According to some news, the police is asking a ransom of 130 lakh (AUD 13,000) for 70 doctors arrested in Yankin Township, Yangon. Photos of security forces celebrating after the crackdown on protesters in Mandalay, photos of members of the police force are seen moving around the Yangon in civilian cars, photos of the injured being evacuated by the public, and photos of people with gunshot wounds laying on the road of Pakokku, videoes of a police car crushing into the protesters riding motorcycle, several police and soldiers loading live ammunitions and shooting several rounds at the protesters in Dawei are going viral on social media.

People are also asking for international help on social media. Many are writing for help on the US Embassy and the UN social media pages. They are calling for the implementation of Responsibility to Protect (R2P). They wrote, "How many dead bodies are needed for UN action," "we are hopeless," and "the military are terrorists" on their social media accounts. But, some have argued that the call for international troops or international intervention is not realistic and should focus on the current CDM and street protests. Thai pro-democracy protesters, along with the Burmese people, demonstrated on the streets of Bangkok to show their solidarity with Burmese people. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. In contrast to Myanmar, there were no casualties or severe injured among protestors.

Another notable news is that the protesters have formed People's Administrative Groups in all seven townships in Mandalay District. The committee will consist of 23 to 25 members, including parliamentarians, civil servants joining the CDM, and a range of civil society organisations. These groups are formed in accordance with the CRPH's proposal in order to defy the orders of the junta and establish autonomy in the region. Protesters are urging the destruction of CCTV cameras on the streets in the coming days, and the carrying of clothing and water to put out smoke bombs, and in the event of a confrontation with the security forces, they are urging systematic advancing and withdrawal.

Security forces are using lethal force against unarmed protesters second day in a row. Two confirmed dead in Yangon, a 23-year-old young man and a female teacher. One confirmed dead in Dawei, southern part of Myanmar. Several people were also believed to be shot with live ammunitions. Hundred of medical and engineering students have been arrested this morning in Yangon.