Martial law in Myanmar’s Yangon city after deadliest day since coup

Myanmar activists planned more anti-coup rallies on Monday, a day after dozens of protesters were killed in clashes with security forces and unidentified assailants torched several Chinese-financed factories in the commercial hub of Yangon.

Reuters reported that the attacks on businesses from China provoked its strongest comments yet on the turmoil gripping its Southeast Asian neighbor, where many people see China as supportive of the February 1 coup.

The Chinese embassy said many Chinese staff were injured and trapped in the arson attacks and urged Myanmar’s ruling generals to stop violence and ensure the safety of people and property.

Japan, which has long competed for influence in Myanmar with China, said it was monitoring the situation and considering how to respond in terms of economic cooperation.

According to Reuters, the worst of Sunday’s bloodshed came in the Yangon suburb of Hlaingthaya where security forces killed at least 34 protesters after arson attacks on Chinese-owned factories, the Myanmar Now media group said. A doctor in the area put the death toll there at 33 in a Facebook message.

Sixteen people were killed in other places, rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said, as well as one policeman, making it the bloodiest day since the coup.

State media said martial law had been imposed in Hlaingthaya and several other districts of Yangon.

The latest deaths bring the toll from the protests to 138, based on a tally by the AAPP.

“The horrific increase in the number of protesters killed by live fire over the weekend shows just how emboldened Myanmar’s security forces are to target protesters with live ammunition,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

A junta spokesman did not answer calls requesting comment.

The army said it took power after its accusations of fraud in a November 8 election won by veteran democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party were rejected by the electoral commission. It has promised to hold a new election but has not set a date.

Suu Kyi has been detained since the coup and is due to return to court on Monday. She faces at least four charges, including the illegal use of walkie-talkie radios and infringing coronavirus protocols.