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2 Killed In Myanmar In Worst Day Of Violence Since Feb. 1 Coup
NPR ^ | February 20, 20212:40 PM ET | Jason Slotkin

Posted on 02/20/2021 5:29:27 PM PST by BenLurkin

At least two people were killed during an anti-coup protest in Myanmar in the bloodiest day since the Feb. 1 military takeover that led to the arrest of the country's de facto leader and kicked off weeks of nearly nonstop demonstrations.

According to multiple reports from Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, police confronted striking ship workers and other protesters in an hours-long standoff. Some demonstrators are said to have flung projectiles at police, who attempted to disperse the hundreds-strong demonstration by firing off live rounds alongside tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. Reuters says witnesses found cartridges for live rounds alongside rubber bullets on the ground.

Both residents and protesters were forced to flee the area as security forces chased after them, The Associated Press reports. Some journalists also fled after being hit by tear gas and slingshot projectiles.

One man died on the scene after being shot in the head and another en route to receiving treatment after being shot in the chest, according to media reports that cited local journalists and medical workers. At least 20 others were injured, according to multiple reports.

Saturday's deaths follow the death Friday of a young woman who was shot in the head during protests last week. The death of 20-year-old Mya Thwet Thwet Khine marked the first confirmed fatality to occur in the protests, which were spurred by the military takeover and arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy party. The junta had seized power, baselessly claiming the landslide win for Suu Kyi'a party in a November election was the result of fraud.

Suu Kyi has been detained since her arrest and been charged with illegally importing walkie-talkies — a charge widely viewed as politically motivated — and violating Article 25 of the National Disaster Management Law.

The junta is facing sanctions from the U.S. and other countries.

Violence in the weeks of demonstrations had largely been limited, but recent protests in Myanmar have been met with crackdowns by security forces.

Earlier in the week in Mandalay, the AP notes, state railway workers joining a civil disobedience movement were met with similar force by security forces. Videos posted on social media showed muzzle flashes and police firing off slingshots and throwing rocks at buildings.

Police also used force in arresting protesters in the northern state of Kachin on Friday.

The army says one police officer has died of injuries sustained during the protests, Reuters reports.

Also on Saturday, in the cities of Yangon and Naypyitaw, young people held ceremonies for Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, the young woman who died Friday. She had been on life support after being shot in the head during protest in the capitol Naypyitaw.

Thousands also marched peacefully in several parts of Myanmar on Saturday, including in the northern town of Myitkyina and in Bagan and Pathein, Reuters reported.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: burma; myanmar

1 posted on 02/20/2021 5:29:27 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

They had a coup too? This has been a bad year for them and it’s still early.


2 posted on 02/20/2021 5:32:28 PM PST by BipolarBob (Biden/Harris - the regime our Founding fathers warned us about.)
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To: BenLurkin

Trump leaves and China makes it’s move in Burma is how I see it.

Joe and the media won’t even mention China’s footprint in the Myanmar military.


3 posted on 02/20/2021 5:39:38 PM PST by mrsmith (US MEDIA: " Every 'White' cop is a criminal! And all the 'non-white' criminals saints!")
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To: BenLurkin

Burma, Myanmar. Tomato, tomato


4 posted on 02/20/2021 6:19:30 PM PST by Smellin Salt
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To: BenLurkin

That’s better than your chances in the gun-free zone of Chicago.


5 posted on 02/20/2021 6:24:11 PM PST by packagingguy
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To: Smellin Salt

I know, right. Who was the idiot that suggested the name change? What the Hell is wrong with Burma? Did they not want to be associated with the Burma shave or something?


6 posted on 02/20/2021 7:07:19 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Trust the plan of the 17th letter of the English alphabet!)
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To: Smellin Salt; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON
"Mandalay! Mandalay! Mandalay!"

That's not it. I know. Art Mandalay!

That's not it either. Dang.

"We're a bit confused."


7 posted on 02/20/2021 7:09:25 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I think Burma was too imperially.


8 posted on 02/20/2021 8:13:44 PM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: BipolarBob

Two deaths pales in comparison to Trump’s armed insurrection at the Capitol.


9 posted on 02/20/2021 8:14:54 PM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: Larry Lucido

Elaine: Oh, Peterman ran off to Burma, and now he wants me to run the catalog.
Kramer: Where?
Jerry: Myanmar.
Kramer: The discount pharmacy?


10 posted on 02/20/2021 8:16:45 PM PST by Kenny Bania (Ovaltine? Why not call it Roundtine?)
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To: Kenny Bania

“That’s gold, Jerry, gold!”


11 posted on 02/20/2021 8:30:36 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: BenLurkin

“...cartridges for live rounds?”

Witness the intellect of a public school education...


12 posted on 02/20/2021 9:55:15 PM PST by W. (Autocorrect must die!)
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To: BipolarBob

[ They had a coup too? ]

Apparently it’s a 2021 thing......

Of course the plotting and the groundwork started much earlier.


13 posted on 02/20/2021 11:53:06 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: SaveFerris

Our coup has barricaded themselves in DC, They know they are illegitimate


14 posted on 02/21/2021 3:23:51 AM PST by ronnie raygun
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To: BipolarBob

The military took over due to election fraud. They have also seized the central bank. Many see this as an experiment to gage when the military will step in here in the US to restore Trump to the Whitehouse and ramp up the quantum financial system.


15 posted on 02/21/2021 7:06:51 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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