Three people killed and more injured as crackdown on Myanmar protesters intensifies 

Protesters shout slogans during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay

Credit: AP

Myanmar security forces intensified a crackdown on anti-coup protests on Sunday, with at least three people reported killed and a further 20 injured. 

The junta, which seized power a month ago, has ramped up its use of force against protesters who are demanding it step down and release Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her elected government. 

On Sunday, large numbers of police and soldiers mobilised across the South-East Asian country to disperse gathering crowds and stamp out rallies, with reports of live rounds being used in some places. 

In the southern coastal city of Dawei, three men were killed and at least 20 others injured when security forces moved on a rally, according to a volunteer media and local media outlet Dawei Watch. 

Rescue worker Pyae Zaw Hein told the AFP news agency that the trio had been “shot dead with live rounds”, while the injured had been hit by rubber bullets.

“There could be many more casualties as well because more wounded people keep coming in,” he said. 

In the country’s largest city, Yangon, police threw stun grenades, used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse a gathering crowd, but it was unclear whether they used live rounds.  

“Police started shooting just as we arrived,” said Amy Kyaw, a 29-year-old primary school teacher.

“They didn’t say a word of warning. Some got injured and some teachers are still hiding in neighbours’ houses,” she told AFP.

An injured man being treated by medical officials

Credit: AFP PHOTO /DAKKHINA INSIGHT via AFPTV

In another area of Yangon, police threw stun grenades outside a medical school, causing doctors and students to flee. 

This weekend has seen the most sweeping crackdown yet during three weeks of protests and a civil disobedience movement that has seen teachers, medics and other government workers go on strike. 

On Saturday, more than 470 people were arrested across the country, including some journalists. 

Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing has said authorities have been using minimal force. 

Despite that, at least five protesters have died during the unrest, and the army says a police officer was killed.

The coup on Feb. 1 brought to a halt Myanmar’s fledgling steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule.