Washington: US continues to stand with the people of Burma against the military coup in Myanmar. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the United States will continue to take firm action against those who perpetrate violence against the people of Burma as they demand the restoration of their democratically elected government. We stand with the people of Burma.
These assurances came 10 days after the United States imposed sanctions on the acting president of Myanmar, also known as Burma, and several military officers.
Significantly, people’s anger against the military coup in Myanmar is increasing. Despite the use of police force, the protests have not stopped. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Mandalay, the country’s second largest city.
The police opened fire to chase them away. Two people died and 20 others were injured in it. This is said to be the biggest violence in the protests that started after the coup on February 1.
Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur for Myanmar, said he was afraid of the deaths of two people. One of the dead is a teenager. He said on Twitter, “First the water cannon then the tear gas and now the rubber bullet to shoot the protesters from very close range. This madness must stop.”
Meanwhile, the government newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar said protesters vandalized and attacked police with sticks, knives and slingshots. Eight policemen and several soldiers were injured in this attack.