29th March, 2021 #day57

 

The junta has widely used powerful weapons to quell protests in the cities areas. Yesterday, a grenade was hurled in Tahan protest in Kalay, western Myanmar. Many videos and photos evidences of using grenade, rocket launchers, machine gun against the protesters are circulating on the social media. One of the footages in South Dagon township showed the makeshift barricades being hit by a grenade. Crackdown in Yangong’s South Dagon was the worst, with at least 12 people killed, according to Khit Thit Media. According to citizen journalists, the junta’s troops are shooting anyone on sight. A young man arrested in South Dagon 56 ward was forced to kneel in the middle of the street and treated as a hostage as one soldier shouted “let your people come to the rescue. If not, I will shoot you,” a protester told Khit Thit Media.

The junta is continue arresting and dismissing CDMers. According to the BBC, the junta fired 120 civil servants of the state-owned television MRTV yesterday. Although the percentage of CDMers is not known, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people out of nearly one million civil servants have joined the CDM movement. In some ethnic states, there are 70 to 80 percent participation. In Pyin Oo Lwin, NLD MP Maung Maung Swe and his wife have been arrested today, according to Myanmar Now. He is a member of the Nay Pyi Taw Council CDM Support Group and his wife is a Director at the Ethnic Affairs Ministry. Two journalists from Kachin State-based 74 media and Kachinwaves media have been arrested while covering the protest in Myitkyina, according to Kachinwaves. To date, 53 journalists have been arrested, 30 have been released and 23 remain in jail, some of whom have been persecuted.

Protesters are calling “Garbage Strike” on social media tomorrow, the March 30. The campaign, led by the famous Yangon-based Clean Yangon, will involve throwing rubbish bags at junctions and roads, including all kinds of old household items and kitchen waste, as opposed to the dictator. The aim is to respond to the junta's propaganda that cities are back to normal, and that only when the power return to people, garbage will be cleaned and discipline will be restored. On March 24, the junta was shocked by a nationwide silent strike.

RFA reports that Prayut Chan-o-cha, who became Thai Prime Minister through a coup, said that the government is preparing to accept Myanmar refugees. He also said that there is no support for violent attacks on civilians. According to the Bangkok Post, about 3,000 locals have fled Papun to the Thai side following two days of airstrikes. However, according to a KIC Karen news, Thai authorities are sending 2009 locals back to Myanmar side. According to photos at the scene, Thai soldiers set up barbed wire on the road to prevent locals from coming. These people are now hiding in nearby mountains as they fear of another airstrike.

The Special Advisory Committee on Myanmar calls on international governments to impose three cuts: arms exports, cash, and impunity. These three cuts are reminiscent of the infamous Myanmar junta's four cuts (food, funds, information, recruitment) used in ethnic areas targeting ethnic armed resistances. Other governments are holding talks with the CRPH while the junta is internationally excluded. Acting CRPH’s Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung met with the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament today via zoom. CPRH’s representatives have met with many western ambassadors and parliamentarians. During an anti-coup protest on March 27 in Perth, Dean Smith, an Australian senator, said that the government will impose sanctions on the junta soon and if any family members of the regime are in Australia, report to the government via sacntions@dfat.gov.au and cc. senator.smith@aph.gov.au. He added that the Australian Parliament will meet with the CRPH soon. However, question remains whether the international community recognize the CRPH as an official government of the country as current meetings are parliamentary level but not leaders of the government.

According to sources close to the CRPH, the CRPH will soon announce a national unity government. Currently, both the acting government and the committee are comprised with NLD members only. Therefore, speculation is rife that the new government will include people from ethnic political parties, ethnic armed groups, and representatives of the strikes. About 85,000 people have donated more than $ 9 million in 16 days for the CRPH as of today. This fundraising is organized by the US-based Citizen of Burma Award Organization which annually grands award to people or organization in Myanmar. Donating money for the CRPH become a trend among Myanmar social media users. Social media users are offering free services such as online teaching, make-up, business ideas, and food delivery if someone can show the GoFundMe receipt.