8th March, 2021 #day36

 Today marks the fifth week of the military coup. All sorts of pro-democracy protests continues unabated despite the everyday brutal crackdown. At least four more people have been killed in nationwide protests, including in Myitkyina and Pyapon, according to several reports. As of today, at least 55 people have been killed in the shootings and beatings by the soldiers and police. Last night, simultaneous inspections, shootings and arrests were carried out in about fourteen townships in Yangon.
In Sanchaung Township, where protests have been going on almost everyday, the soldiers have been tightening security and blocking roads since this evening. At the time of writing, many protesters are posting on their social media pages that they are trapped in Sanchaung Township. There are also rumors that door-to-door guest inspections will be conducted in the township tonight. Residents from nearby townships are reportedly taking to the streets despite the curfew to help those trapped inside the apartments and streets. Residents of Sanchaung have been seen offering hideout for the protesters. Currently, the situation in the area is very tense and the EU office and some Western embassies in Yangon are urging security forces to withdraw on their social media pages. Sanchaung Township, adjacent to downtown Yangon, is home to large middle class population and a popular destination for young people and foreigners for its fine foods, restaurants, and bars.
State-run MRTV announced that five private media outlets - Myanmar Now, 7Day News, DVB, Mizzima, Khit Thit News - are suspended to broadcast and print news. Mizzima Media immediately responded that it would not comply with the statement and would continue to cover the news as before. In addition, soldiers raided the Myanmar Now office and the 88 Open Society office which is made up of political prisoners in Yangon this afternoon. Thirty-four journalists have been arrested since the coup, according to the AAPP.
The military council has ordered private banks to reopen today and announced that they will take action if they do not, but the banks remain closed. Two groups, International Petroleum Group (IPG) and Golden Land East Asia Development (GLAD), have announced that they will sell their shares in the military-controlled telecom company, Mytel. According to Myanmar Now, the companies are members of Myanmar National Telcom Holding (MNTH), a group of 11 private companies with a 23% stake in Mytel. It is 28 percent owned by the military-run Star High company and the remaining 49 percent by the Vietnamese military-owned Viettel Global Investment JSC. Justice for Myanmar estimates that the military could earn more than US $ 700 million over the next 10 years through Mytel.
Today, on International Women's Day, women across the country are protesting, waving their longyi (htamain) as flags with the slogan "Fly the Htamain flag, End the dictatorship.” The move seeks to counter the prevalent Burmese superstition that women's longyi is considered unclean and therefore, men can lose their dignity and susceptible to bad fate if they walk across under the longyi. Protesters hung women's longyi over the streets to prevent soldiers from reaching protesters. According to the protesters, soldiers actually avoided the roads with longyi in some places.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has issued three proposals on the situation in Myanmar. All parties need to resolve the issue peacefully within the framework of the constitution and resume negotiations. China supports the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN countries. China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and the will of the people and offer itself as a mediator to reduce tensions. Social media users say China is only concerned about the growing anti-China views among public, potential damage to it investments, and destabilization in the border areas.