YANGON: Authorities in Myanmar have issued a stern warning today (Monday) against protests, as rallies against coup leaders gathered pace with thousands of people took to the streets of major cities for a third day demanding the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
According to details, police in the capital Naypyidaw fired brief bursts of water cannon against a group of the thousands of protesters who had gathered on Monday. The junta has so far refrained from using deadly force to quell the demonstrations sweeping most of the country.
A statement read by an announcer said there had been violations of the law and threats of force by groups using the excuse of democracy and human rights.
“Action must be taken according to the law with effective steps against offences which disturb, prevent and destroy the state’s stability, public safety and the rule of law,” the statement said.
In Yangon, a group of saffron-robed monks marched in the vanguard of protests. They flew multicoloured Buddhist flags alongside red banners in the colour of Suu Kyi’s National league for Democracy (NLD).
“Release Our Leaders, Respect Our Votes, Reject Military Coup,” said one sign. Other signs read “Save democracy” and “Say No to Dictatorship”. Thousands marched in the coastal city of Dawei, in the southeast, and in the Kachin state capital in the far north.
So far gatherings have been peaceful, unlike bloody crackdowns during previous widespread protests in 1988 and 2007. A convoy of military trucks was seen passing into Yangon late on Sunday, raising fears that could change.
