The Burma Army and police arrested participants who took part in protests against the military government on February 9, charging them with leading the demonstrations.
According to an anonymous source close to the situation, the authorities are just grabbing whoever they can and those who have been detained aren’t leaders of the protests taking place across Shan State.
In response to a general strike that started this Sunday, the military government enacted Article 144. Gatherings of over five have been banned and a curfew from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m has been imposed.
Hundreds of thousands have been peacefully protesting across the country since people first took to the streets last Saturday, February 6.
Kyaw Myint, from the National League for Democracy, and Tint Swe, from Mizzima Social Welfare Team, both from Tachileik, were arrested.
In Kengtung, authorities arrested Nang Seng Lao, a teacher, and Ma Chaw, who is with a volunteer team.
Ko Myint Htay (aka Ko Bel Kyaw), who is a former political prisoner from southern Shan State, was arrested.
On the same day as the other arrests, Maung Soe Kyaw, from northern Shan State, was arrested after returning from a demonstration. Police, soldiers and the ward headman grabbed the 27-year-old from his home at about 6 p.m. in Mongyai Township, where about 3,000 demonstrated against the military coup.
In Naypyidaw and Mandalay, police used water cannons against protesters. Tear gas was deployed against demonstrators in Mandalay and police beat some of them. Police attacked peaceful protesters in Naypyidaw with rubber bullets. And there were unconfirmed reports that live rounds killed a young woman and injured another, reported to be in critical condition.
