A total of 32 more deaths have been reported from Sunday, bringing the total to 71, the bloodiest day since the Feb. 1 coup, as Myanmar’s regime steps up its crackdowns on protesters.
The total death toll reached 167 on Monday afternoon.
The majority of deaths on Sunday were in Hlaing Tharyar Township, western Yangon, where the security forces used live rounds, tear gas and stun grenades on anti-regime protesters staging sit-ins.
Of the 32 extra deaths on Monday, three were shot during a Sunday night protest in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region. Four others were wounded in Pathein.
On Sunday night, The Irrawaddy confirmed 39 deaths across nine Yangon townships – Hlaing Tharyar, Shwepyithar, North Okkalapa, South Dagon, Insein, Hlaing, Thingangyun, Kyimyindaing and North Dagon – and in Bago Region, Hpakant in Kachin State and Mandalay Region.
A hospital in the Hlaing Tharyar Township said on Monday that it has received 37 dead bodies and around 40 people with injuries.
Another hospital in Yangon said it has also received seven dead bodies and 56 people with wounds from live rounds on Sunday.
On March 3, 28 civilians across Myanmar were killed by police and soldiers.
The security forces opened gunfire in Hlaing Tharyar on Sunday morning and shooting continued late into the night. A video shows personnel shooting at anti-regime protesters and residents in Hlaing Tharyar from the Aung Zaya Bridge connecting Insein and Hlaing Tharyar townships. The security forces shot both protesters and residents.
The military’s governing body, the State Administrative Council, imposed martial law on six Yangon townships on Sunday night. The situation in Hlaing Tharyar remains tense.
But hundreds of thousands of citizens across Myanmar continue to take to the streets to protest against the military regime.
Four more protesters were shot dead at Myingyan in Mandalay Region and in Mandalay itself on Monday.
