People injured during protests in Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar township on March 14
At least 39 people were killed on Sunday (March 14) in what became the bloodiest day since Myanmar’s anti-coup protests. A number of factories were set on fire, including Chinese-owned ones, injuring several Chinese employees.
According to Reuters, an advocacy group said several Chinese-owned factories were set on fire on Sunday in an industrial zone in Hlaingthaya, a township in northern Yangon, Myanmar. Security forces shot and killed at least 22 protesters.
The Aid Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said another 16 protesters were killed elsewhere, and a police officer was also killed.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) embassy said the garment factory in Ledaya was attacked by arson by unidentified assailants, injuring some Chinese employees and trapping others.
No group has claimed responsibility for the arson attack on the factory.
At least 126 people have been killed since the protests
Local media said security forces opened fire on protesters in the industrial zone, a suburb that is Home to migrants from across the country.
“It’s horrible. People were being shot right in front of my eyes. I will never forget this scene.” said a photojournalist at the scene, who asked not to be named.
State media announced martial law in Leidaya and another area of Yangon.
The military-run Myawadday TV said security forces took action after four garment factories and a fertilizer plant were set on fire, with about 2,000 people preventing fire trucks from reaching the factories.
Doctor Sasa, a representative of the elected members of parliament who were ousted from power by the military government, expressed solidarity with the people of Ledaya.
“The perpetrators, the attackers, the enemies of the Burmese people, the evil SAC (State Administrative Council) will be held accountable for every drop of blood shed.” He said.
In total, 126 people have died since the anti-coup protests in Burma in February, the Political Prisoners Assistance Association said. More than 2,150 people had been detained as of Saturday (March 13). More than 300 people have been released.
Burmese Anti-Communist sentiment has risen since the protests
In response to the burning of a Chinese-owned factory, the Chinese Embassy called the situation “very serious” and asked Myanmar to take further measures to stop the violence.
The embassy’s Facebook page has been bombarded with negative comments in Burmese, with more than half of the responses (more than 29,000) using the smiley face emoji.
In the view of the Burmese public, the Chinese Communist Party supports the Burmese military government that has come to power. Anti-communist sentiment in Myanmar has been high since the country was thrown into turmoil by a military coup. Anti-military coup advocates say Beijing has been silent on condemnation compared to condemnation from Western countries.
On February 20, more than 400 Burmese immigrants from the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California rallied in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco to protest the Communist regime’s support of the military coup in Burma. “Koko Ley, a member of Free Burma and a protest organizer, said, “The Chinese Communist Party supported the military coup in Burma, and we are here to protest so that they will immediately stop their support for the Burmese military government, including military, economic, diplomatic, and technical assistance. “
UN, UK Condemn Burma Junta Violence
The U.N. special envoy to Burma has condemned the “ongoing brutality” of the Burmese military government against protesters. Christine Schraner Burgener said she had “heard first-hand from contacts in Burma about the heartbreaking killings, mistreatment of protesters and torture of prisoners” that took place over the weekend.
She said the crackdown undermines the prospects for peace and stability and called on the international community to support the people of Burma and their democratic aspirations.
Britain said it was appalled by the use of lethal force by security forces against innocent people in Lae Daya and elsewhere.
“We call for an immediate end to this violence and urge the military regime to return power to those democratically elected by the people of Burma.” British Ambassador to Burma Dan Chugg said.
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