Myanmar’s protest-related death toll since the Feb. 1 coup has reached at least 587 after the military regime’s forces launched armed attacks in several townships around the country on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
As of Tuesday evening, about 581 people had been killed by the junta’s forces, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said.
At around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the junta’s forces attacked anti-regime protesters with live rounds and heavy explosives during an operation to remove a roadblock erected by protesters as part of their defense line in Kale Township, Sagaing Region.
At least five anti-regime protesters were killed and more than 20 injured.
On Tuesday night, a man was killed by regime forces in Nyaung Shwe Township, Shan State when they opened fire on residents who appeared in the streets to protest a violent regime raid on a restaurant. Several people were also reportedly injured in the shooting.
According to the Shan State-based Kanbawza Tai news agency, on Tuesday the regime’s forces returned to family members the dead body of a young man who was arrested on Sunday while he was helping to put out a fire at a ward administration office in the Shan State capital, Taunggyi.
Photo records show the man suffered serious head injuries. An autopsy was due to be conducted on his body.
Meanwhile, despite the fact that there were no protests being held there, military regime forces opened fire in several wards in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Wednesday, according to a resident.
A man was reportedly sustained an arm injury during the shooting.
The Myanmar military regime has intensified its deadly crackdowns against anti-regime protesters, using live rounds as well as grenades fired from launchers. During their raids, regime forces frequently fire indiscriminately at bystanders, pedestrians and residents.
Despite the intensity of the crackdown, tens of thousands of people across the country continue to take to the streets daily to protest against the military regime.
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