12th May, 2021 #day101

Businesses including Coca-Cola, the World Bank and McKinsey will relocate their offices from the Sule Square Complex after the Justice for Myanmar called for the relocation of 18 businesses to avoid financing the military indirectly as the complex in downtown Yangon is built on the military-owned land. The UN fact-finding mission report revealed in 2019 that the land belonged to the Tatmadaw. Myanmar activists in Japan are calling to protest against the Myanmar national football team, which will compete in the second round of the 2022 World Cup (Asia Zone) in May, according to DVB. The match is set to take place on May 28 at the Fukuda Denshi Arena in Yokohama, and they are urging the Japanese government, which does not recognize the junta, not to host it. Mg Chit Bo Nyein, captain of Hantharwady United U-21 FC, was killed in a shootout by the junta troops, and Kaung Si Thu, a member of the national senior team and a brother of MMA boxer Pho Thaw, was arrested last week in Yangon. Many national team players have also participated in CDM.

Pu Tler Ling and Pu Khamh Bawi, who were arrested in Hakha on May 9, died of health conditions, according to a statement by the junta-run media. However, eyewitnesses told Khonumthung media that they could not even walk as they were beaten so badly during the arrests. As their bodies were not recovered, the surviving families had to hold funerals and bury without their bodies. The junta troops arrested at least 10 people, including 12-year-old Christine Phyo Phyo, in Loikaw Township, Kayah State, for protesting, Shan News reported.

At least 15 people have been killed in clashes between the junta troops and the People's Defence Force (PDF) in Tamu on the Indian border in Sagaing Region, according to Myanmar Now. The dead included some Meitei militants from Manipur who were backing the junta troops. Notably, photos circulating on social media show that the PDF in Tamu is armed with homemade hunting rifles as well as handguns, such as the AK-47 and M-16. DVB reported that about 30 soliders were killed within two months since the shooting began in Tamu.

According to Khonumthung media, the ceasefire between the Chinland Defence Force (Mindat) and the military broke down as the five abducted youths were not released by 12 noon yesterday. The junta has demanded that the detainees would be released only if the CDF allowed 17 military vehicles with more than 200 troops from Sami in Paletwa Township pass through Mindat. According to social media posts of some Mindat residents, there was a resurgence of gunfire near the town last night.

Nay Myo Lin, editor-in-chief of Mandalay-based Voice of Myanmar, and reporter Sai Aung were prosecuted by the Military Council yesterday under Section 505 (a), according to DVB. Min Nyo, a DVB correspondent based in Pyay, was also sentenced to three years in prison yesterday. His wife told DVB that she is consulting with lawyers to file an appeal. Aung Kyaw, another DVB correspondent arrested in Myeik Township, will be sentenced in late May or early June, his wife said. 

Soon after Thein Nyunt, the chairman of the New National Democratic Party (NNDP) and a member of the military council, threatened his son and daughter-in-law for refusing to continue opening the party office at his son house in Yangon’s Thingangyun, both were arrested yesterday for sharing anti-military status and supporting the NUG on social media, Myanmar Now reported. According to Khit Thit Media, the military council has announced that the government lottery will be held only once every two months instead of once a month due to the extremely low number of buyers. Since the coup, the highest prize was reduced significantly from 15,000 lakhs ($1 million) to 5,000 lakhs ($320,000). Netizens are complaining that the central bank is making it harder for them to withdraw their money and gold prices are skyrocketing as people are no longer willing to keep their money.