03/22/2021, 13.32
MYANMAR
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Protests continue after bloody weekend, with cars and before dawn

by Francis Khoo Thwe

Car processions, honking horns and three-finger hand salute. Yesterday two people killed in Mandalay and Monywa. The death toll is over 250. Teachers threatened with dismissal if they do not stop civil disobedience. Singapore's foreign minister goes to Brunei.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - New protests are underway today, after a bloody weekend with the killing of demonstrators.

This morning in Yangon, at the request of activists, many cars honked continuously, while the occupants raised their hand with a three finger salute, which has become the symbol of resistance for democracy.

There were also two pre-dawn demonstrations in two commercial areas of the economic capital. Yesterday, however, in Mandalay, before dawn, there was a large demonstration of medical staff, all in white coats.

Yesterday in Mandalay one person was killed in a riot between residents of a neighborhood and the security forces, who were trying to enter a school to make it their base.

In Monywa, a man was hit by a police bullet while he and other activists were trying to build a barricade.

According to the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners, at least 250 people have been killed since the start of the coup.

Today the junta ultimatum for teachers who participate in the strike and civil disobedience also expires: if by today they do not return to class, they will be fired. The same threat weighs on medical staff and workers.

Meanwhile, after criticism of the junta from Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore's foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, flew to Brunei today, before going to Malaysia and Indonesia. At present, Brunei is the current president of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are pushing for an emergency meeting on the Myanmar crisis.

Singapore is the largest foreign investor in the country, but it is also one of the most pragmatic. Until now, Balakrishnan has only called for "stability" and the "end of violence", also endorsing the idea of ​​Min Aung Hlaing's junta to keep power until new elections, rejecting the last November elections, overwhelmed by the party by Aung San Suu Kyi.

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