28th March, 2021 #day56

 

The massacre of unarmed civilians on the Armed Forces Day have revived protesters across the county. In many places, street protests have resumed, and in some places even armed resistance has been seen. The brutality of the junta has also worsened as its troops used heavy weapons such as RPGs and grenades against protesters today. Chin World and other local media outlets reported that the protest in Tahan of Kalay township in Sagaing region, where many Chin people live, was attacked by live ammunitions, RPGs and grenades at around 2 p.m. The attacks killed four people, including Ah Khu, the well-known women's rights activist and the director of Women for Justice, and wounded about 20 others. According to unconfirmed reports, about 15 soldiers and police were injured due to the protesters’ retaliation using handmade rifles. In Hlaing Township, Yangon Region, photos circulating on social media show a man lost his hand because of grenade attack.

In Day Pu No village, Phapun township, three civilians were killed and eight others were wounded in last night air strikes, according to Free Burma Rangers. The FBR is a long-time humanitarian aid group working in Karen State and its leader, David Eubank, said that the bombings were the first in 20 years in the region and that performance of the Burmese Air Force has improved significantly with the help of China and Russia as it can now perform strikes at night. He said that international intervention is needed immediately since some 8,000 people have already been in hiding since February 1. According to Reuters, about 3,000 people fled to Thailand due to yesterday’s bombings. Hundreds of Myanmar people have also fled to neighbouring India since the coup. But Manipur’s Chief Minister instructed its state government on March 26th to return all the refugees, not to open camps, and refuse foods and shelters. Mizoram, on the other hand, responded that it would continue to provide assistance to the refugees in defiance of a central government order.

Ma Thuzar Hein, a 20-year-old student at the University of Nursing, was killed today in Monywa. Khit Thit Media reports that soldiers in Mandalay yesterday burned a man alive who was shot in the leg. He was the father of four children and was shot while he was watching the soldiers passing his house. Aung Zin Phyo, an 18-year-old futsal player, was also among the deaths yesterday. He volunteered at the Intensive care unit of Mandalay Covid centre. According to Myanmar Now, a hospital staff member was injured when soldiers opened fire inside the Asia Royal, a well-known private hospital in Yangon. Earlier, they entered the Academy hospital in Ahlone and searched for the protesters. Last few weeks ago, soldiers also shot live rounds at the windows of Women Centre of the SSC Hospital in Bahan. Shwe Lamin Hospitals in North Okkalapa was shot with rubber bullets. Social media users claim that the junta has targeted hospitals and clinics that treat injured protesters. According to the AAPP, at least 423 people have been killed so far.

The 9 battalion of the KIA's Brigade 5 attacked and seized control of several police and military bases in Hpakan, Kachin State, early this morning, killing several policemen and soldiers. According to the Kachin News Group, about 20 policemen were killed in the incident and Khit Thit Media reports that the KIA's simultaneous attack captured three military bases, including a base of police battalion, and seized large quantities of ammunitions. Fighting has been raging in Hpakan since March 12. In Tamu, near the Indian border, two policemen were killed and two others were injured in a bomb blast at a border police post, DVB reported. The cause of this blast is still unknown.

The Chiefs of Defence of 12 countries have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the Myanmar military regime's use of deadly violence against the civilians. Former US Ambassador to Myanmar Scot Marciel wrote on his social media page that, “I see no value in dialogue with them (Tatmadaw) until and unless they recognize they cannot win and make clear they are looking for a way out.” Many social media users shared this post claiming that they will not give up until the military withdraw completely from the politics. Mizzima announced launch of “Federal FM radio.” Signal can be received on 90.2 MHz staring from March 27. The radio service can only be available in and around Yangon for the time being and will soon be available in other cities. Mizzima Multimedia was founded by Myanmar exiles in New Delhi, India during the 1988 revolution, and is now gaining public trust during the Spring Revolution.

About fifty members of the Mon Unity Party, which decided to join the junta-formed council, resigned from the party. Earlier this month, two-thirds of the MUP Central Committee decided to join the military council. However, many members including the Vice Chairman, Joint secretaries, and those elected in the 2020 election, sent their resignation letters to the party yesterday. The MUP is formed with three Mon ethnic parties before the 2020 election. Many praise Myanmar’ miss contender Han Lay who called for urgent international support on the stage at the Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand and condemn those Myanmar social influencers who have failed to speak out about the coup.