10th February 2021
The demonstrations have yet to become an uprising, but it is becoming clear that events are following the 8888 uprising which resulted in wholesale slaughter, illegal imprisonment, and many deaths in prison. The Military was hoping that the usual political adage that most protests fade after 7 days would apply unless there is strong organisation of the protest movement in place.
It has now been confirmed that one person has been shot and seriously wounded with head injuries. She is Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing a student in Nay Pyi Taw. Unconfirmed reports from the same source report two further woundings, one open chest wound from gunshot and one injury details to be confirmed.
Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing was a 19-year-old female Computer university student and passed away on Tuesday in Nay Pyi Taw. This was not a rubber bullet and the shot pierced her helmet. It was fired from a BA-93 SMG (Submachine Gun) with 9×19mm bullet.
The demonstrators are becoming more organised with many wearing uniforms of red T-shirts and white helmets and others wearing red and blue helmets. Resistance is growing with yesterday’s demonstrations in Yangon estimated at 200,000+. Police have been seen crossing the lines and joining the protestors.
Absolutely extraordinary moment in Pathein when one police officer gives the crowd a salute, then joins them on the other side of the barrier then all the police break down the barriers! (Credit Yamin) pic.twitter.com/imAW8hHqE3
— Rangoon (@Rangoon_Film) February 9, 2021
In support of the demonstrators, the mayor of Mandalay has resigned. Substantial protests have taken place in Mandalay, Bago and Bagan. The Buddhist monks now appear to have expressed support for the protestors, but with the caveat that some of the ultra-right factions of monks support the military. There are problems emerging with accusations of agent provocateurs in the police and in the crowds. The police have allegedly been infiltrated by the Tatmadaw, the giveaway being that they have brand new uniforms!
The staff at the Central Bank of Myanmar have just joined the anti-coup protesters. This could be a major problem for the Tatmadaw.
The authorities have started to deploy tear gas and water cannons laced with chemicals.
The support is growing.
A new cyber law is being introduced to stop all tweets and international and domestic communications. This is thought to be being implemented with Chinese technical support.
Coincidentally, 5 flights arrived at Yangon International airport (which is mostly closed to International flights) yesterday. They were coming from Kunming in China and three of them contained IT technicians. The other two were cargo planes.
So, there is no chance of United Nations support for the protestors or the rightfully elected government of Myanmar as China is now blatantly supporting the coup.
On the diplomatic front, it is reported that the Myanmar ambassador to the UK, U Kyaw Zar Min has joined the civil disobedience movement.
The next two days will be pivotal with support growing, the crackdown continuing apace, the internet being locked down and little International action/condemnation except for a comment from Jacinda Ardern who was first off the block with her condemnation of the Military and threats of sanctions against them. The NZ Embassy has been closed since the early days of the COVID-19 crisis and the British embassy has just closed.
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