Dozens killed by security forces across Myanmar on Armed Forces Day
(Update 1: Upgrades death toll)
Bangkok Desk, Mar 27 (efe-epa).- Several dozen people have been killed by security forces across Myanmar on Saturday, according to local media and witnesses, while the military junta celebrated Armed Forces Day.
In some 40 places across the country at least 91 people, including two children were killed on what was the bloodiest clampdown since the military coup in February, local news outlet Myanmar Now reported.
Deaths were confirmed in Yangon, Mandalay, Dawei, Lashio, Kyaukpadaung, Mogok and Kyeikhto, among others, while many injured people were in critical condition, witnesses told Efe.
Most died after being shot by security forces, who carted away some of the bodies.
A video on social media, reportedly captured on CCTV on Saturday morning, showed police shooting at three people riding down a quiet street on a motorbike, killing one with the other two running away.
“Evidence of soldiers shooting randomly. Not even protesters. They are just shooting and killing for fun,” the Civil Disobedience Movement tweeted.
A 13-year-old girl also died after being shot in a house in Meiktila, Myanmar Now reported.
The extreme violence of the security forces comes a day after a state news channel warned protesters: “You should learn from the tragedy of earlier ugly deaths that you can be in danger of getting shot to the head and back.”
Over 400 people, including children, have been killed since the Feb. 1 coup, according to the latest data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
