MYANMAR: Myanmar’s junta has cut the nation’s internet and deployed extra troops around the country on Monday as fears built of a widespread crackdown on anti-coup protests, but defiant demonstrators again took to the streets.
Earlier, Myanmar’s military had seized power on February 1 by detaining leaders of the National League for Democracy. The detained leaders included pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country’s president. The military has steadily escalated efforts to quell an uprising against their seizure of power two weeks ago.
On January 29, the military threatened to snatch all power from the civilian government. The military believes that the government had come to power through fraudulent elections. Suu Kyi’s party won 83 percent of the seats and won a landslide victory.
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With demonstrators refusing to back down, the military imposed an internet shutdown and ratcheted up the military’s presence across the country.
According to the reports, in key locations of Yangon, extra troops were seen including armored personnel carriers near the central bank.
Myanmar is now in the throes of upholding a government elected by direct popular vote, including by-elections, and removing the dictator. People at all levels continue to protest peacefully.
A joint statement from the US, British and European Union ambassadors urged security forces not to harm civilians.
“We call on security forces to refrain from violence against demonstrators, who are protesting the overthrow of their legitimate government,” they said.
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