During the difficult time in Myanmar, people found a rare joy with the news of three Burmese women being selected as Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2021. Ei Thinzar Maung, the incumbent Deputy Minister of Women, Youths and Children Affairs of the National Unity Government, and Esther Ze Naw Bamvo, a leader of the Kachin Peace Network were highlighted for leading anti-coup protests in the early days of the coup in February. A Burmese-American NASA scientist Daw MiMi Aung, was also applauded for her efforts in leading the team to successfully land the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars.
However, the joy did not last long as another atrocious news of regime’s soldiers popped up around midnight yesterday. Last night, junta’s soldiers raided into Quarter (7) in Kamayut Township, and arrested six residents in Pyi Yeik Mon Housing Building 22. Afterwards, they proceed to Quarter (3) and arrested five more people. During the arrest, the soldiers also stole belongings, food, and cash from the homes. Since February 1, even staying inside the home has never been a safe option while we all have to live with the constant fear of being arrested by the military without a clear reason.
A news from Shwebo reported that two young men were recently killed for failing to bribe junta’s soldiers. According to Mizzima News, five people coming back from Shwebo Industrial Zone were beaten and threatened to pay money by regime’s forces on the night of September 2. Upon failing to do so, one victim was killed on the spot, and another one called Ko Zin Min Oo, a 20-year-old victim passed away with wounds four days after being discharged from the hospital. Among the rest, two have been freed, but the remaining member Ko Oakar is still hospitalized in Monywa hospital with severe wounds.
Today’s morning, a report of yesterday’s arrest by the junta’s soldiers in 22nd Street and Lanmadaw Street in downtown Yangon has been released. According to Khit Thit Media, one youth was killed with more than seven arrested. The incident began in 22nd Street where junta’s forces attempted to catch three youths, shooting two of them. One passed away with wounds. Following that, they abducted four young men in Lanmadaw Street. Until late at night, junta deployed a large number of soldiers to guard in Lanmadaw and Latha areas, blocking the roads.
Junta’s cruelty towards the innocent citizens does not end there. In Aye Chan Thar village in Myaing township, it is reported that a 25-year-old Ko Min Min was burned alive and a 14-year-old Mg Tun Myint was shot to death by the soldiers. According to Khit Thit Media, the soldiers carried out this mission to attack against the village after a military informant told them that PDF members were present in the area. After killing two victims in Aye Chan Thar village, the junta forces committed similar crimes in Kyauk Kone village and Pann Village, resulting in six deaths in total.
In Hmite Pin village, Natmauk, the soldiers arrested a female cancer patient called Daw Hla Hla, forcing 10 villagers to come and get arrested in exchange. The Irrawaddy News stated that the soldiers swooped into the village to find a committed NLD supporter U Myo Chit, but could not find him. Thus, they kidnapped his wife. The list of 10 people wanted by the regime’s forces, includes U Myo Chit and his two sons Ko Oo and Aung Myint Myat, ward administrators U Moe Kaung, U Sein Lan Bo, U Nay Win, U Aung Tun Min, and U Tun Lin.
In the afternoon, a fake news was circulated across the social media that the notes of 5,000 Kyats and 10,000 Kyats have been demonetized. However, domestic bank community informed that the news is inaccurate. Yet, it is no doubt that cash is running very low in Myanmar market, and the informal business of exchanging deposits in bank accounts to cash is still ongoing in Myanmar since February. To make matters worse, the State Administration Council (SAC) is suspending the bank accounts of users that are suspected to be a donor to PDF, NUG, and refugee camps. A credible social media user in Myanmar shared her experience that her company’s account has been frozen. Despite visiting multiple banks and making lots of calls, she still could not know the reason for the account being suspended. The private bank has no answers, and neither does Central Bank of Myanmar.
Despite all these tragic news flooded in social media, there are still some good news. In the late afternoon around 3pm, Ranger Force based in Yangon announced that they detonated the traffic police office in the corner of Thein Phyu and Bogyoke Road in Yangon while the army trucks and police cars were waiting for the traffic. At least one has been reportedly injured, and some vehicles have been damaged. In Thanlyin Tsp of Yangon, the junta’s appointee U Ohn Lwin was shot to death this morning. The man was notorious in the area for distortion and asking bribes from the ward. In Tanai, Myitkyina, Kachin Independence Army (KIA) announced that they bombed a military truck loaded with junta’s soldiers. The truck was damaged, and many soldiers were killed in the incident.
On the other hand, State Administration Council (SAC) force is attacking Kanni of Sagaing Region where PDF armies are very strong with the use of all means such as land, sea, and air. Moreover, SAC commanded his army including the wives of the soldiers to go into battles if PDF launches attacks. Meanwhile, protests against the military are still going strong across Myanmar. Last night, protesters banged pots and pans in Sarlingyi and the monks led the night protest in Pyigyithakun, Mandalay. In the early morning, a group of protesters rallied to protest against the military coup in A Shayt Taw, Dawei. Throughout the day, protests are ongoing across Yinmarpin, Mandalay, Dawei, Laung Lone, Shwebo, Kalay, Tant Sel, Taketa, Taungoo, Pakokku, and Myaing.
