On the one-year anniversary of the coup, there were a series of explosions affecting several places in Shan State, including the capital Taunggyi. Explosions were also reported in Burma’s commercial capital Yangon and in the capital of Kachin State, Myitkyina, on 1 February.
Two participants in a pro-military rally in the border town of Tachileik in eastern Shan State were killed and 38 wounded at noontime when Burma Army (BA) providing security fired indiscriminately into the crowd after two explosions, a man who declined to give his name told SHAN. He said most of the participants in the rally were Ah Khar and Lahu, ethnic groups that the army often calls on to support at such events.
According to locals, people were forced to attend the rally to bolster support for the regime, which is hated by most people in the country since the fall of the democratic government a year ago. Pro-military rallies were also held in Lashio and Hopon.
Two explosions occurred in Taunggyi at around on Tuesday, according to a vendor who wished to remain anonymous. The man couldn’t say whether there were any deaths or injuries in the explosions near a Mytel office around 6:30pm, but he saw police guarding the facility throughout the day. There were other explosions in Yay Aye Kwin and Thit Taw wards.
Across Shan State and the rest of the country, people took part in a ‘Silent Strike’ against the coup on its anniversary. In many towns, the streets were empty as shops refused to open or sell things, and people stayed home to demonstrate their opposition to the regime.
