Myanmar’s military on Monday arrested the chief ministers of Karen State and Sagaing Region from the government residences where they were under house arrest.
The arrests come after the National League for Democracy (NLD) figures made speeches online, strongly condemning the coup.
NLD information committee member U Kyi Toe said Karen State chief minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint was taken by the military at around 2 pm on Monday. A relative of the chief minister said the military seized her phone and her location is unknown.
In a video posted a few hours before her arrest, Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint called on soldiers to defend the people and unite with the public.
“We, the people, are supporting you from our taxes and state funds. You are fed by public funds. It is time for the soldiers to stand for the people, join hands with people … And you face those who give you orders. I appeal to our soldiers, be united with the people,” she said.
Sagaing chief minister Dr. Myint Naing was arrested on Monday morning after posting a video speech calling on the public to keep protesting.
“We will need to continue our fight until the military regime falls,” he said.
A source close to the chief minister said he was taken to the western command.
The Yangon and Mandalay chief ministers were also reportedly re-arrested by the military from their government residences, where they were under house arrest. Their locations are unknown.
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