Police officers side with Myanmar protesters on fifth day of nationwide demonstrations against coup
Protests for the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi ongoing as a woman shot by security forces remains in critical condition
By Nicola Smith, Asia Correspondent and Roland Oliphant, Senior Foreign Correspondent 10 February 2021 • 4:13pm
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 10, 2021. Credit: STR/AFP
At least a dozen Myanmar police officers joined protesters demanding an end to "military dictatorship" on Wednesday as thousands of people took to the streets for a fifth day of demonstrations against last week's putsch.
It came as the family of a woman who was shot by security forces during a violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators said she was unlikely to survive.
Mya Thwate Thwate Khing, a 19-year-old student, was shot in the back of the head on Tuesday afternoon as she joined a group of protesters in Naypyitaw demonstrating against the coup that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. She remains in a critical condition in hospital.
"We were hiding because the police used the water cannon. Then we heard the sound of a gunshot and we decided to go back. When we left the place, my sister was shot," Mya Tha Toe Nwe, her sister, told the Telegraph.
Body builders joined the protests calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on February 10 Credit: STR/AFP
"The hope for my sister is only five percent. I'm deeply sad. I'm the eldest and she is the youngest sister. We participated in the protest against military coup because it's not only for one person or one party. It's for our country and our generation. So, we need to eliminate the military dictatorship from our country and I will keep fighting."
Myanmar's military arrested Ms Suu Kyi and other members of her National League for Democracy party on February 1, claiming that a general election the NLD won by a landslide in November had been fraudulent.
Tuesday's violence saw at least three other people wounded by suspected rubber bullets in Naypyidaw. Protesters were also hurt in Mandalay and other cities where security forces deployed water cannons and tear gas, arresting dozens. Four policemen were also injured as protesters threw stones.
There were no reports of violence on Wednesday, although thousands of anti-coup protesters took to the streets again for a fifth straight day to demand the democratic government be restored.
The atmosphere on the streets of Yangon at times was festive, as young women in Disney Princess costumes, ripped topless men and rows of monks in saffron robes joined the swelling ranks of the rallies.
Myanmar women in wedding gowns holds up placards during a demonstration against the February 1 military coup in Yangon on February 10, 2021 Credit: YE AUNG THU/AFP
"The 2020 General Election is the first time I voted for and the coup happened. They should respect our vote. We did not vote for the military. So, we will fight and reject military government. I will only accept the people elected government. If not we will go on strike," said Wai Wai Tun, a 20 year old university student.
At least 20 police officers in Loikaw in the eastern Kayah marched with protesters as part of a civil disobedience movement protesting the putsch, in the first significant defection of security personnel to the side of the protesters.
Myanmar coup: As it happened
"I decided to join the protest because I know there is nothing good about military dictatorship. I don't want to be the one who helps military dictators. So, I decided to join the protest and I will continue to fight Min Aung Hlaing steps down," one police officer who joined the strike told the Telegraph.
The officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said locals were now helping to shelter the rebel policemen to help them avoid arrest.
MWD, a military-controlled television station, claimed that the protesting officers were "fake police".
Hundreds of government workers, including staff from the ministry of electricity and energy have marched in support of a civil disobedience campaign launched by medical workers last week.
The United States and United Nations condemned Tuesday's use of force against the protesters and demanded the release of hundreds of people who have been arrested.
"Myanmar military personnel and police need to know that 'following orders' is no defence for committing atrocities and any such defence will fail, regardless of their place in the chain of command," Thomas Andrews, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a statement issued in Geneva.
Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have demanded an immediate end to the authorities' use of excessive and lethal force.
Additional reporting by Tommy Walker
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