Police in Myanmar have allegedly killed at least 18 anti-coup protesters.
The United Nations (UN) human rights office reported about the killings.
According to the report, police fired the protesters on the deadliest day of anti-coup rallies.
Other reports by local media outlets in Myanmar indicate deaths were reported in several cities including Yangon, Dawei and Mandalay.
Police are alleged to have used live rounds and tear gas.
The crackdown by security forces on protesters is reported to have started on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
The bloody and deadly crackdown came after weeks of protests against the February 1, 2021 military takeover which saw Aung San Suu Kyi, being overthrown and detained.
Social media posts sighted by African Entertainment showed injured protesters being treated.
At 5:30 pm local time, security forces are opening fire on a group of protesters near 36th Street in Mandalay. At least two were shot. Here is one shot in the leg. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #2021uprising #myanmarcrackdown pic.twitter.com/OuSI5tbab5
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) February 28, 2021
One of the injured protesters in Mandalay, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead. Security forces are now firing shots in the suburban town of Thingangyun in Yangon. We will give full updates about the death and injuries in an upcoming story. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/FhTwr3lqoH
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) February 28, 2021
In Pictures: Defiant protesters gunned down in Myanmar#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar https://t.co/JjpH1URLnH
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) February 28, 2021
Memorial
As earlier reported by African Entertainment, anti-coup protesters in Myanmar held memorials in Yangon few days ago for a protester who was allegedly shot dead.
The female protester, Mya Thwe Thwe Khine, reportedlh passed away in Naypyitaw on Friday morning, February 19, 2021, after she was allegedly shot in the head last week as police dispersed a crowd in the capital, Naypyidaw.
Her death, African Entertainment understands, marked the first protest fatality since the military takeover in Myanmar nearly three weeks ago.
According to reports, a number of Myanmar ethnic groups protested on the morning of Saturday, February 20, 2021, in what has been described as a show of opposition to the coup that removed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
What do the protesters want?
Protesters in Myanmar are calling for the restoration of the elected government, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others.
They are also calling for the scrapping of a 2008 constitution. The 2008 Constitution is believed to have been drawn up under military supervision, and accordingly gives the army a decisive role in politics.
Anti-coup protesters hold memorials in Yangon for Mya Thwe Thwe Khine who passed away in Naypyitaw on Friday morning, the first protest fatality since the military takeover nearly three weeks ago. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #militarycoup #myanmar pic.twitter.com/cVcgqawqhQ
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) February 20, 2021
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