10th May, 2021 #99

 

The junta is preparing to open a special court near Aung San Suu Kyi's house on Myanan Bon Thar Road in Zabuthiri Township, Naypyidaw, after being denied access to her lawyer and being tried via online for three months, Myanmar Now reported. She has been charged with more than five counts, including the Telecommunication Act and the State Secrets Act. In her Yangon case, her friend Sean Turnell, an economist, will be the main offender, the junta spokesperson said at the press conference a few days ago. Pakokku Students' Union members Tha Htet Aung and Wai Phyo Hein were sentenced to three years and three months in prison for participating in the anti-coup movement, according to DVB.

Illegal mining has been on the rise in areas controlled by militias under the military since the coup, according to DVB news referring the Bangkok Post report. Residents in Panwa, Chipwi Township, northern Kachin State, near the Chinese border, said production of rare-earth minerals has increased fivefold. China is the main importer of Myanmar’s rare-earth, which are important for the production of computers, mobile phones, electric cars and other electronics, accounting for 74% of China's total imports. China itself banned illegal rare-earth mining in 2010 due to environmental concerns.

The Irrawaddy reported that Thai authorities have arrested some journalists from the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in Chiang Mai. After the coup, the junta revoked the broadcasting licence of DVB in the country. An English-language DVB statement said that three senior reporters and two activists were arrested and urged Thai authorities not to deport them to Myanmar as they had fled persecution by the military. According to Myanmar Now, some observers stated that this could be due to strict Covid regulations, not political.

Locals told DVB that 10 people, including CDM teachers, were arrested at their home in Kin Ywa, Mogok, Mandalay Region. Netizens are urging to identify and retaliate against informers in the neighbourhoods as many CDM civil servants and protesters have been arrested because of them. In Hpakant, Kachin State, a group of people stabbed and shot a village administrator who is an army veteran and military-backed the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) member, according to Khit Thit Media. According to the Kachin News Group, the USDP party members in Naungmon, Putao District, has called on the local militia to arm them in order to fight back against the KIA and arrest NLD members. A Rawan community leader has reported requested a weapon from each house and claimed that about 20 young men in the village are currently attending basis military training with the local militia. The Burma National Army (BNI) was formed in response to the junta’s atrocities. According to DVB, the group is made up of various ethnic groups at home and abroad, as well as members from all walks of life.

KNU Chairman Gen. Saw Mutu Say Po called on all parties to adhere to the NCA framework and maintain peace. He called for a political solution to the political problem and not an armed solution. However, the statement was criticized by many netizens, including Karen activists, saying that it is impossible to negotiate with the terrorist army. In addition, people close to the KNU responded that the statement was his sole opinion and did not represent the KNU as it has neither KNU letterhead nor seal. According to Khit Thit Media, clashes broke out between the Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF) and the KNU/KNLA Brigade 5, killing 11 BGF members. About 500 BGF troops entered the area of Brigade 5 in recent days, KNU reported. Netizens are blaming the BGF for following order from the military and saying they should work with the KNU. The BGF leader earlier said that they wanted to provide security for their battalions based in the area and did not wish to attack Brigade 5, according to the Karen Information Centre.