A man has been reported killed and several injured after Myanmar forces opened fire on a pro-democracy protest by doctors and paramedics in the city of Mandalay, according to local media on Thursday, with reports of many arrests.
An image posted on social media showed a monk carrying a severely injured man, with two other people assisting him. The person later died, according to a social media post quoting the Mandalay-based Friday Times Journal.
Several photos on social media also showed the military rounding up people on Thursday morning before they could join the protest.
Medical workers, some of whom have been at the forefront of the campaign against the coup, have gathered early in Mandalay but troops soon arrived to disperse them, opening fire and detaining some people, a news agency added.
The agency said it did not have details of the number of casualties or arrests.
But among those who were reportedly nabbed by authorities were journalists identified as Ajax and Christopher from Myitkyina News Journal.
Ko Wai Moe Naing, an organiser of anti-military protests in the city of Monywa in Sagaing region was also detained on Thursday, according to the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
Images were also posted of several damaged vehicles allegedly destroyed by the forces in Mandalay.
Opponents of the military’s February 1 coup that removed an elected government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi have kept up their campaign against the military this traditional New Year week with a series of actions and marches.
A spokesman for the military government could not be reached for comment by news agencies.
NEW YEAR PROTEST: Despite the five-day New Year holiday, known as Thingyan, began on Tuesday, pro-democracy activists cancelled festivities to focus on their protest movement.
Activists splashed red paint and dye on Wednesday, the second day of the traditional New Year holiday, on roads and buildings to represent the blood of the hundreds of people who were killed while protesting against the February 1 military coup.
Meanwhile, a military-run newspaper reported that at least 19 doctors were charged with incitement for participating in the civil disobedience protests.
The military says the demonstrations are dwindling but there were reports of flash protests in Sagaing Region as well as in Hpakant township in Kachin State and Kyondoe in Karen State.
In Phayuso township in Kayah State, hundreds of people were seen carrying anti-military government banners, defying warnings by security forces.
Before the latest security crackdown on Thursday in Mandalay, the activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, had already reported at least 715 protesters killed since the military seized power.
