Protests surge in Myanmar against Junta coup

Demonstrators in Myanmar have staged several protests across the country to demand the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government and have called for coordinated nationwide dissent to defy the military’s latest steps to suppress attempts to rally opposition to its ongoing rule.

As per media reports, over the weekend nearly six people were killed as activists, police and soldiers had several skirmishes across the country. 

Security forces resorted to violence to enforce their writ on demonstrators who gathered for what they call a “spring revolution”.

The campaign against the martial law enforced to oust the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi has included civil disobedience, street marches, strikes and quirky acts of rebellion organised on social media. 

The army has sought to moves like shutting down mobile data and wireless broadband services.

Demonstrators were seen with placards of Suu Kyi, asking for international intervention as they marched through the streets of the city of Mandalay, according to images on social media.

Protesters urged the international fraternity to recognise the ethnic minority armies that have gotten alongside the anti-coup movement, and youth demonstrators who have battled security forces in the streets to shield or rescue wounded protesters.

“We will clap for five minutes on April 5, 5 p.m. to pay tribute to Ethnic Armed Organisations and Gen Z defence youths of Myanmar including Yangon who are a part in the revolution fight on behalf of us,” said Ei Thinzar Maung, a protest leader, on Facebook.

Opponents of military rule released messages of protest on Easter eggs, like “get out MAH” and “we must win” – referring to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Nearly 557 people have so far been killed since he led a coup on February 1. This was just hours before a new parliament convened, to stop Suu Kyi’s party from initiating a second term in office.