Yangon: Security forces killed at least 14 protesters in a poor, industrial suburb of Myanmar’s main city of Yangon on Sunday while three others were killed in other parts of the country, according to local media. State television said a policeman had also been killed in one of the bloodiest days of protests against the February 1 coup. China’s embassy called on Myanmar to protect its property and citizens after saying two Chinese-financed garment factories were set ablaze by unknown attackers. Protests are now in their sixth week since the coup toppled elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Security forces opened fire on protesters in the Hlaingthaya district of the city, a poor suburb that is home to migrants from across the country, domestic media said. Plumes of black smoke rose over the area. Myanmar Now said at least 14 protesters had been killed, while other media gave even higher tolls in the area. State television MRTV said martial law had been imposed in the district.
Myanmar Now also quoted residents as saying three factories were set ablaze in Hlaingthaya. It was unclear whether those included two Chinese-financed garment factories that Chinese state news service CGTN said were burned. “China urges Myanmar to take effective measures to stop all acts of violence, punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law and ensure the safety of life and property of Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar,” the statement said. It said the perpetrators had not been identified. Opponents of the coup have criticised China for not coming out more strongly against the army takeover as Western countries have done. China has said that the priority is stability and that it is Myanmar’s internal affair.
Junta accuses Suu Kyi of taking illegal payment
Meanwhile, the junta reacted to international condemnation of its crackdown on protesters by claiming that Suu Kyi had accepted hefty illegal payments. Diplomatic pressure has been building since the generals seized power on February 1, triggering daily protests around the country that they have struggled to quell.
The United Nations condemned the junta's increasingly violent crackdown, which has seen more than 60 killed and 2,000 arrested, with even China - a traditional Myanmar ally - calling for "de-escalation" and dialogue.
