Large crowds have taken to the streets across the country to protest military rule since the military seized power in a coup in February, with local media reporting that eight people were killed when security forces opened fire during some of the demonstrations.
Mizzima News reported that protesters were seen in towns and cities across Myanmar on Sunday, including the major commercial city of Yangon and the second largest city of Mandalay (Wa).
Thousands of anti-coup protesters called for a “spring revolution. “Let’s shake the world with the united voice of the Burmese people,” the protesters said in a statement.
Two people were shot and killed in Mandalay, three in the central town of Wetlet, two in Shan State and one in the northern town of Hpakant during a crackdown on demonstrations by security forces.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, security forces have killed at least 759 protesters, imprisoned 3,300 and sentenced 20 others to death as they go into hiding following a Feb. 1 coup by the Burmese military to overthrow the democratic civilian government. The crisis has worsened.
Crisis worsens as 3.4 million more people fear they won’t know where their next meal will be
The crisis in Myanmar has brought the banking system to a standstill, with many bank branches closed, stores unable to pay and customers unable to collect cash. Many people rely on remittances from foreign relatives to make ends meet. Most importers and exporters have ceased operations, and factories have closed.
The U.N. World Food Program said last month that the military coup and the worsening financial crisis in Burma have left Burmese without enough food to eat, and 3.4 million more people are expected to be unable to afford food in the coming months, most severely in urban areas.
Since the end of February, market prices for rice and cooking oil have risen by 5 percent and 18 percent respectively, and there are signs that some families in the commercial capital Yangon are going hungry for several meals, consuming less nutritious food and going into debt, the World Food Programme said.
The WFP intends to expand its operations, tripling the number of people assisted to 3.3 million, and to raise US$106 million in donations from all sectors.
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