Guwahati: The large section of people in Myanmar (known as Burma and Brahmadesh) observed a silent protest last February 1 marking two years of the military coup and subsequent public resistance movement against the military junta across the south-east Asian nation. The international media (if not the government-controlled newspaper and news channels) reflected the deserted urban and rural areas of Myanmar, highlighting the continued opposition to the Min Aung Hlaing military brigade.
“Commemorating the two-year anniversary of the people’s resistance against the illegal failed coup, cities and towns nationwide participated in the silent strike. Many roads and streets were
deserted, including places in Yangon, Mandalay, Monywa, Dawei, and others despite being threatened by the junta. The shops and street vendors in Yangon were ordered by the junta-controlled municipalities to open in February 1, but they did not obey it even though their licenses may be revoked,” said a civil rights activist.
Speaking to this writer from Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the activist, who wanted anonymity also added that the military rulers have lately extended the state of emergency for another six months (till July 2023). It shows the failure and desperation of Min Aung Hlaing and his armed forces (popularly known as Tatmadaw) while taking full control of the poverty-stricken country of a 55 million population. They are facing armed opposition from the People’s Defence Forces, Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations, and others in various localities, added the activist.
Lately, the junta has imposed martial law in the townships of Sagaing, Magwe, and Tanintharyi along with Yangon and Bago region as well as Karen, Karenni, Mon, and Chin States. Most of these localities are still under the control of resistance forces. The imposition of martial law may pave the way for military personnel to continue targeting members of revolutionary forces and also civilians in more brutal ways. Needless to say, the junta has used airstrikes on a number of villages to teach the agitating residents a lesson.
Since February 1, 2021, 2,940 civilians have been killed by the Burmese authorities and 17,572 arrested, among whom 13,763 are still behind the bars. Over a hundred media personnel were also detained by the Min Aung Hlaing-led military council and more than 25 are still inside various jails of the country of Pagodas. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for Democracy, has been imprisoned for over 30 years by the military-controlled courts following
motivated allegations raised by the dictators.
A large section of people in Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, etc, organized protest demonstrations on February 1 showing solidarity with the resilient people of Myanmar. Many nations like Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, etc imposed heavy sanctions against the junta, but its neighbors namely China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India remain undecisive as their respective governments have geopolitical and economic interests in Myanmar. Nonetheless, the junta can still rely on the supply of arms from Russia and China.
Recently, the foreign ministers of south-east Asia, while meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, urged the military rulers of Myanmar to reduce violence and allow unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to pave the way for a national dialogue aimed at ending the country’s worsening crisis. The meeting under the initiatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations even avoided inviting the Myanmar foreign minister, even if it’s an ASEAN member, as the military regime failed to fulfill many promises made to the forum.
