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Myanmar At the Boiling Point
Protestors have been arrested, injured and killed in the weeks since the military seized power in Myanmar, claiming a stolen election.
Protestors rushed the streets of cities and towns on Monday and Tuesday to rail publicly against the Myanmar military’s seizure of power. Two protestors have been killed, at least 40 have been injured and hundreds have been arrested in the weeks since the Myanmar coup.
The most recent shootings occurred after authorities tried forcing workers back to their jobs at a local shipyard, a day after the death of another protestor, a 20-year-old woman whom the police shot in the head at a demonstration on Feb. 9.
Videos of the scene showed police striking protestors and firing live bullets, though it was unclear whether the bullets were rubber or live ammunition. The military junta said it was prepared to use lethal force against protestors in a statement on Sunday.
“It is found that protesters have raised their incitement towards riot and anarchy mob on the day of 22 February. Protesters are now inciting the people, especially emotional teenagers and youths, to a confrontation path where they will suffer the loss of life,” the State Administration Council, the military junta controlling the country said on Sunday on state broadcaster MRTV.