Pregnant woman, monk among dead as Myanmar violence rages

Bloomberg

A pregnant woman and a monk were among those killed in Myanmar over the weekend amid violent crackdowns by security forces on anti-coup protesters, as both sides showed no signs of backing down.
At least seven people were confirmed dead, according to the UN Human Rights Office, bringing its tally since the coup started in February to 88. Fatalities this weekend could have been around two dozen, according to local reports and witness accounts, though the figures can’t be independently corroborated.
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, a group of international experts consisting of former UN officials, said it has “grave concerns that a major military crackdown may be imminent, with fatal consequences.” The group called
for “immediate international political intervention.”
“So far, the international response to the attempted coup has been weak,” the council said. “It is sending a dangerous message that the generals will continue to suffer no meaningful repercussions for their violent attacks on the Myanmar people.”
It’s not a crime for the people of Myanmar to retaliate or protect themselves, according to a statement from a committee representing elected members of the central parliament, which was established after the coup. Several members of the committee, most of whom belong to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, are on the run.
“Citizens have the full right to defend themselves” if security forces commit acts of violence against them, the committee said on Sunday.
Demonstrators took to the streets in Mandalay after deadly violence earlier in the day, with tens of thousands of engineers and engineering students chanting for an end to military dictatorship and release of detained leaders including Suu Kyi.
“Security forces are trying to scare us from joining street protests in coming days,” said Aung Myo Nyunt, a 20-year-old student protester in Mandalay. “Their efforts will be in vain.”
Myanmar’s police detained 36 protesters in Mandalay, according to state broadcaster MRTV. The television station accused Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy of instigating protests and spurring unrest. On March 3, 21 protesters were killed, while 12 died in crackdowns on March 11.
Soldiers and riot police have forced striking public servants and employees in certain sectors to return to work as the civil disobedience movement threatens a collapse in services including banking, healthcare, education and transportation. The junta asked all banks to reopen on Monday, and said actions would be taken if lenders fail to obey.
The junta’s lead spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, reiterated that minimal force was used to disperse protesters, even as witnesses say live bullets continued to be utilised.
Zaw Min Tun said security forces will continue to enter some properties to search for protest instigators in some townships, which he added was “to ensure safety and the rule of law.”