AFP, Yangon
Published:22 Feb 2021, 04:04 PM
Thousands defy military warning in mass strike
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have turned out in
Myanmar in one of the largest demonstrations yet against the military coup. Businesses
closed as employees joined a general strike, despite a military statement that
said protesters were risking their lives by turning out.
Police dispersed crowds in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, and a
water cannon truck was seen moving into position. Myanmar has seen weeks of
protest following the coup on 1 February.
Military leaders overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected
government and have placed her under house arrest, charging her with possessing
illegal walkie-talkies and violating the country's Natural Disaster Law.
A statement from the military carried on state-run
broadcaster MRTV said that protesters were "now inciting the people,
especially emotional teenagers and youths, to a confrontation path where they
will suffer the loss of life".
It cautioned people against "riot and anarchy". The
warning comes after at least two people were killed in protests on Sunday - the
worst violence yet in more than two weeks of demonstrations.
Protesters are demanding an end to military rule and want Ms San Suu Kyi released, along with senior members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.