At Least 14 People Shot Dead by Security Forces at Protests Across Myanmar
By The Irrawaddy 28 February 2021
YANGON—At least 14 people were killed and scores injured by mid-afternoon as riot police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds and rubber bullets on anti-coup protests in multiple locations across Myanmar on Sunday.
Yangon: The city has been in chaos since early in the morning, with riot police and soldiers launching violent crackdowns on protesters just as they were taking to the streets.
At around 8:30 a.m., security forces moved in on thousands of doctors, nurses and students from the city’s medical, paramedical, dental and pharmaceutical universities who were preparing to march in Yangon’s Yankin Township. Around 200 medical students among the group were detained.
A female photographer was also detained in Yangon.
In the hours that followed, dozens of protesters were shot as police cracked down at locations across the city. At least four people—three young men and a teacher—died of their wounds.
The detained doctors and medical students were released in groups at around 3:30 p.m. from where they were being held at a former COVID-19 quarantine center in Mayangone Township.
Security forces also moved early against protesters in several other cities.
Dawei, Tanintharyi Region: At least four people were shot dead and around 40 injured in a violent crackdown by riot police on anti-coup protesters in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region in the morning.
Bago: In Bago Region, two people were shot dead and around 15 injured in a similarly violent morning crackdown. 
At least two people were killed in Bago region. / The IrrawaddyMandalay: At midday, a bystander on a motorcycle died after being shot in the head by police as they cracked down on a protest in Mandalay. Several people including a youth volunteer helping protesters were shot and injured.
In the evening, a woman who was just walking down the street in Mandalay, was shot into the head and died on the spot.
Pakkokku, Magwe Region: A man who was attempting to hide from riot police and soldiers was shot dead by the security forces as they confronted an anti-coup protest in Magwe Region’s Pakokku. Dozens of protesters were reportedly detained.
Myitkyina, Kachin State: 50 protesters were reportedly detained in the capital of Kachin State. One local reporter was detained while covering the crackdown.
Despite using stun grenades and tear gas, police failed to disperse demonstrators taking part in a nationwide general strike against the military regime. Undeterred by the deadly shootings, protesters across the country reorganized and continued their marches in the afternoon.
Mawlamyine, Mon State: The 21–year–old was fatally shot in the head by security forces during an anti-coup protest in the Mon state capital, Mawlamyine. Several hundred people attended his fu
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