The military takeover has triggered widespread protests and discontent in Myanmar
Anti-coup protesters across Myanmar defied a junta order not to mark the first anniversary of the military’s power-grabbing with a silent strike and clapping protests on Tuesday.
The military takeover that ended the Southeast Asian country’s brief democratic hiatus and toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi triggered widespread protests and crackdowns on discontent.
The junta has killed more than 1,500 civilians, according to the local watchdog group, struggling to control the response and with daily conflicts. The country’s Swat is under the control of anti-coup fighters.
Residents of the commercial hub of Yangon and another city of Mandalay clapped collectively at 4 pm (1500 IST), AFP This marked the end of a “silent strike” against the coup by reporters and locals.
“We were clapping,” said a Mandalay resident. “Other houses in my neighborhood clapped too.”
The junta had ordered shops to remain open on Tuesday, but the streets of Yangon began to empty at 10 a.m., a scene repeated in Mandalay and the southern Taninthary area.
A resident told AFP that Mandalay’s famous jade market was open in the morning, but there was little traffic.
“No one is going on the roads around my area and security forces are patrolling,” the resident said.
“I’m at home playing online games to take part in the strike of silence.”
A similar bandh in December had cleared the streets of cities and towns across the country.
Local media reported that ten people had been arrested for participating in a clapping protest in Yangon.
‘serious silence’
“If the attack is taking shape as reported, it is a thunderous silence, a vehement rebuke of the military regime,” David Mathison, an analyst formerly based in Myanmar, told AFP.
Ahead of the anniversary, the junta threatened to seize closing businesses and warned that noisy rallies or sharing anti-military “propaganda” could lead to charges of treason or terrorism.
On Tuesday morning, local media showed separate flashmobs in Yangon and Mandalay, where protesters hoisted pro-democracy banners and opened fire.
Images released on Tuesday by Junta’s information team painted a picture of normalcy in the country, with contestants finishing marathons and a religious celebration in the southern Bago region.
Undated video handouts showed pro-military demonstrations in unspecified parts of the country, with some holding national flags and pro-military slogans.
Others held banners condemning the “People’s Defense Forces” that have risen to fight the army and inflicted painful blows on junta soldiers with guerrilla ambushes and mine attacks.
Local media reports said a bomb attack on a pro-military rally in the town of Tachilec resulted in several casualties.
AFP was unable to verify the reports.
Sanctions
The United States, Britain and Canada on Monday unveiled coordinated sanctions on Myanmar officials, including those involved in the trial of ousted leader Suu Kyi.
Washington approved Attorney General Thida Oo, Supreme Court Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Tin Oo, all of whom were involved in Suu Kyi’s “politically motivated” prosecution.
Citing “unspeakable violence against civilians”, undermining regional stability and “massive” corruption, US President Joe Biden said he was working with allies to “hold those responsible” .
But the UN special envoy on Myanmar said the international community needed to do more.
Tom Andrews said, “The fact that a year has passed, without a Security Council resolution on a comprehensive arms embargo – as weapons continue to flow and kill innocent people – is unacceptable.”
“The people of Myanmar deserve better than the United Nations.”
Another test for Suu Kyi
Suu Kyi has been detained since the coup, and faces charges ranging from election fraud to violation of the Official Secrets Act, and faces more than 100 years in prison.
A day before the anniversary, the junta announced the Nobel laureate would face a new trial for electoral fraud during the 2020 elections, in which his National League for Democracy party defeated a military-backed rival.
Since the coup, several senior members of the National Election Commission, who are accused of masterminding the NLD’s thumping victory, have also been arrested.
The Junta annulled the results of the 2020 election in July last year, saying it had found about 11.3 million instances of fraud.
Independent observers said the elections were largely free and fair.
,