India demands junta ceasefire
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for lasting peace and a permanent ceasefire during a meeting with Myanmar’s junta boss, Min Aung Hlaing, at the BIMSTEC summit on Friday, tweeted Indian government spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.
Modi said a political resolution was the only way forward, beginning with credible elections. He committed to engaging all stakeholders to support the process, particularly in addressing cross-border issues and combating scam centers.
He expressed condolences for recent tragedies and assured continued earthquake aid.
Modi requested support for the completion of infrastructure projects, including the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway.
Junta reports 3,354 earthquake deaths
The regime reported 3,354 earthquake fatalities and 220 missing on Friday. Mandalay Region reported 2,122, followed Naypyitaw with 615 and Sagaing Region with 507. Many bodies remain to be pulled from the rubble in Mandalay and Sagaing towns.
Junta boss returns from Thailand
Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing returned to Naypyidaw on Friday night after attending the regional BIMSTEC summit in Thailand.
The junta boss faced Thai protests saying, “They don’t welcome the murderer Min Aung Hlaing”.
An Argentinian court asked Interpol to apprehend Min Aung Hlaing in Thailand over genocide charges.
Six political prisoners died in quake
Myanmar’s March 28 earthquake destroyed two women’s wards at Obo Prison, Mandalay Region, killing at least six female political prisoners, according to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM).
It said at least 12 people died in the prison, including six political prisoners Ma Moe Thuzar Khaing, Daw Lae Lae Soe, Daw Khin Ohn Shwe, Ma Kay Kay Win, Ma Pa Pa Win and Ma Phyu Wai Wai. The other six have not been named.
The PPNM said injured Obo prisoners were being denied hospital treatment. Read more
ASEAN sends aid mission
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan and his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, arrived in quake-hit Myanmar on Saturday for ASEAN’s response.
Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, and Thailand are spearheading the humanitarian mission as agreed at an emergency meeting last Sunday. The two will meet junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and his foreign minister Than Shwe.
Junta kills Moebye civilians
Junta air and artillery strikes killed five people in Moebye town on the border of Karenni and Shan states on Thursday, breaching its April 22 ceasefire. A 40-year-old Pekinkawkhu villager was killed by shelling on Thursday morning. Four more villagers were killed and several others were injured in a subsequent airstrike. A airstrike killed a resistance fighter and wounded three others in Bawlakhe Township, Karenni State, on April 22.
TNLA reports junta attack
Fighting broke out between the junta and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Tawnghkam village, Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State, according to the armed group.
The Brotherhood Alliance, of which the TNLA is a member, announced a monthlong unilateral ceasefire for earthquake relief. But clashes broke out on Thursday and Friday due to junta attacks, it said.
The junta announced a 20-day ceasefire until April 22 but its airstrikes and ground attacks continue.
The TNLA said a convoy of seven military vehicles reinforced Light Infantry Battalion 902 in Kyauk Gu and Taung Chay near Intaw Town in southern Shan State and Tawnghkam in Nawnghkio Township. Fighting broke out near the base on Friday, it reported.
Quad to send quake aid
The Quad of the US, Australia, Japan and India on Thursday pledged US$20 million worth of earthquake assistance to Myanmar.
The group said it was coordinating efforts to ensure that their response effectively distributes assistance and meets the needs of the quake-affected communities.
The Quad also called on all parties to pause fighting while Myanmar recovers from the quake.
Junta boss calls for dollar shun
At the BIMSTEC summit on Thursday in Bangkok, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing urged the leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to trade in their currencies to boost trade and reduce dollar dependency. Faced with a hard currency crisis due to economic sanctions and the withdrawal of foreign investments from Myanmar, the regime has been calling for direct payments between the kyat, yuan, baht, rupee and ruble in trade with China, Thailand, India and Russia.
Mandalay town lacks rescuers
Amarapura in Mandalay Region suffered severe damage to around 80 percent of the town’s buildings. Residents estimated the death toll at around 800, including many who died when a mosque collapsed, and over 1,000 injuries.
The town lacks systematic rescue operations eight days after the quake. Residents are sleeping on football pitches, in monasteries and outside their homes due to continuous aftershocks.
Junta airstrikes target gem town
Regime airstrikes targeted gem mines west of Mogoke town in Mandalay Region on Saturday, according to residents. No casualties were reported. The regime said it would halt fighting until April 22 for earthquake rescue operations, but has continued airstrikes on Karenni State, Sagaing and Magwe regions. Mogoke fell to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army in July last year.
Junta trains ninth conscript batch
Military training for the ninth batch of conscripts, who would “tirelessly perform national defense and security duties”, concluded on Thursday, reported the junta media. Many conscripts have been snatched from streets or homes.
Intakes 10 and 11 are undergoing training. Despite the regime’s ceasefire for the earthquake, it has continued air and artillery strikes on rebel-held areas, killing civilians.
