4th-5th march, 2021 #day32 #Day33

 

Forty seven people have been killed by police and soldiers as of yesterday, According to DVB. Among them, 38 people were killed in the shootings on Wednesday alone. Another protester was shot dead in the Mandalay protests today. However, the anti-coup protests have not stopped and continue in many different ways across Myanmar. Protesters have been seen using helmets, shields, and bulletproof vests from household items and construction materials to protect themselves.

The CRPH, which has been widely criticised for its political leadership, win the praise of many anti-coup protesters today after its today’s statement. The CRPH has announced its four-point political objectives - ending the dictatorship, release all detainees including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, achieving democracy, abolition of the 2008 constitution and the emergence of a federal constitution - regarding with the current protests. In the past, the CRPH has been accused of only prioritising the release of NLD leaders and the recognition of the 2020 election results, but now it is incorporating the political goals demanded by ethnic groups. A spokesman for the CRPH said that a new national unity government would soon be formed that would include ethnic parties. Prior to the coup, the NLD government held meetings with ethnic parties with an intention to form a unity government.

At the request of the United Kingdom, a member of the UN Security Council, the Security Council will hold a closed-door meeting on Myanmar today. The council issued a consensus statement at its previous meeting that it was deeply concerned about Myanmar. The CRPH appointed special envoy Dr. Sa Sa wrote to the UN that the international community should implement R2P (Responsibility to Protect). Therefore, the meeting has gained special attention of the Myanmar people. However, due to China and Russia, which have always defended the military and vetoed previous Security Council resolutions to take action against the Tatmadaw, some people have said that the meeting should not be expected too much.

There were power outages across the country this evening. There has been a rumour that Yangon will have a hard lockdown in the next 48 hours. Although a section 144 curfew has already been imposed, the lockdown is rumoured to include internet and power outages, and firing orders. Many claim that Yangoners should not be afraid of the new lockdown as it will make no major differences to the current situation. Monks from the influential Shwe Kyin sect in the Buddhist community have issued a letter calling on the military to immediately end violence and killings of peaceful protesters. They also urges soldiers not to loot public property and to act as Buddhists by treating others with compassion.

About 19 police have fled to neighbouring India, according to RFA. An Indian police official said to the media that these police had abandoned their weapons and fled, and that more police are expected to come in few days. The Irrawaddy reports that so far more than 100 police have been involved in the CDM across the country. In Karen State, protesters were seen to be accompanied by the members of the KNU's 5th Brigade. In the past, soldiers from the KNU used to provide protection in civilian clothes, but this time the soldiers were fully equipped and the number of troops also increased. The KNU Brigade 5 also announced that it would protect all the Karens and people of Myanmar and cooperate with the international community if necessary. The 5th Brigade has frequently clashed with the Tatmadaw over the past few years.