2nd April, 2021 #day61

 

Protesters held “Flower Strike” in Yangon and other cities for those killed in the Spring Revolution by placing flowers on the streets, bus-stops, markets, and places protesters were killed. People holding flowers with three-finger salute become a trend on social media. According to the AAPP, 543 people have been confirmed killed and 2,741 have been arrested. Save the Children reported that at least 43 children are among the deaths. On the one hand, the junta is trying hard to show that it can bring stability and rule of law in the country. State-run media frequently broadcasts about the coup leaders visiting pagodas, overseeing infrastructure development, delivering Covid vaccinations. It also invited young people and students who have fled to foreign and ethnic armed groups-controlled areas, to return saying that there will be no action taken against them unless they have committed criminal cases. The junta also allowed CNN team to visit some parts of Yangon today. However, according to photos from citizen journalists, she was being followed by many plainclothes soldiers, and five civilians, including four women, were threatened by them with pistols and arrested for talking to the reporter and taking photos during interviews, Myanmar Now reported.

The Irrawaddy reports that about 6,000 locals are digging bomb shelters on the Thai-Burmese border for fear of war and are preparing to flee. On March 30, the junta threatened to attack the RCSS’s bases along the border. According to Myanmar Now, up to 20 people have been killed in four-day consecutive airstrikes in Karen State. Villagers from Yinmarpin Township, Sagaing Region are fighting against the junta’s troops and at least four villagers were injured, Khit Thit Media reported. The Tedim Post posted a recruitment letter from the Zomi Federal Army. No background of the ZFA has been provided, but it is believed that some activists from Kalay region and Tedim township established this group. According to Myanmar Now, five policemen were killed in an attack in Tamu, Sagaing Region yesterday. The attack was led by led by The CDMer police Tong Hao Gin who was also shot dead.

Ma Su Su Kyi, 32, employee of South Korea's Shinhan Bank in Yangon, died at the hospital today from a bullet wound in the head. The junta’s troops opened fire on the bank ferry she was riding yesterday. Kyaw Moe Khaing, a tutor arrested on March 27, also died in custody, according to Myanmar Now. Prominent political activist U Mya Aye who has been detained in Insein Prison since February 1, was arraigned today, his family told RFA. The CRPH welcomed the statement of the KNU's 5th Brigade issued on March 31. The CRPH in the statement says that it understands the KNU's position saying that the NCA agreement has been in-active since the coup.

The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting on the situation in Myanmar yesterday and issued a statement after the meeting. Social media users are mocking for issuing another statement condemning the violence as before and doing no action against the junta. They claim that members of the Security Council are not willing to intervene situation in Myanmar as it is politically and economically insignificant for them. The UN special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner, warned that bloodshed could erupt if the Security Council does not take immediate action. She will be visiting ASEAN countries soon, according to the DVB news. The Irrawaddy reports that Chinese troops have arrived in Jiegao, the Myanmar-Chinese border. They are to secure the 800 km long gas pipeline from Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State to China. Since the coup, there has been growing anti-Chinese sentiment in Myanmar as it has always sided with the junta on the Security Council and said the coup is an internal affair.