Myanmar protest dying toll rises hours after junta risk

At least 50 individuals had been killed when safety forces opened fireplace on pro-democracy protesters in a number of components of Myanmar on Saturday, the Myanmar Now information portal mentioned.
It mentioned the useless included 13 killed within the nation’s second-biggest metropolis, Mandalay, 9 within the close by area of Sagaing and seven within the business capital Yangon.
The recent crackdown got here as Myanmar’s navy, the Tatmadaw, held the annual “Armed Forces Day” parade, utilizing the event to sentence the opposition and promise elections.
“The army seeks to join hands with the entire nation to safeguard democracy,” General Min Aung Hlaing mentioned in a speech broadcast on state tv after the parade within the capital, Naypyitaw.
The parade was a present of drive for the Tatmadaw, with navy autos, firepower and troopers marching in formation.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin additionally attended the parade. On Friday, he met with senior Tatmadaw leaders and provided his help.
“Russia in a true friend,” Min Aung Hlaing mentioned Friday.
There had been no indicators of officers from different international locations, though worldwide visitors are often current on the parade.
New elections promised
Myanmar’s navy took over the nation’s democratically elected authorities in a coup on February 1, unleashing a large protest motion in opposition to its rule.
Aung San Suu Kyi and different leaders from National League for Democracy (NLD) have been detained because the coup.
However, the Tatmadaw claims that the military needed to seize energy due to “unlawful acts” and corruption.

On Saturday, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated a promise to carry elections, with out specifying a date.
General warns protesters of ‘head shots’
Min Aung Hlaing claimed that authorities wished to guard individuals and restore peace, whereas warning in opposition to additional protests.
“Violent acts that affect stability and security in order to make demands are inappropriate,” he mentioned in an earlier televised speech on Friday night.
“You should learn from the tragedy of earlier ugly deaths that you can be in danger of getting shot in the head and back.”
At least 50 protesters had been killed following in a single day raids and demonstrations on Saturday, Myanmar Now reported.
The dying toll from the navy crackdown reached greater than 360 on Saturday.
The violent response from the navy leaders has drawn worldwide condemnation and sanctions.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group, which has been monitoring killings of demonstrators in Myanmar, no less than 25% of protester deaths have come from photographs to the top.
This has raised suspicions that protesters have been intentionally focused by safety forces for killing.