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After two months have been passed since coup in Myanmar, the strikes have spread with a strong momentum from the major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, Monywa and Taze even to the small towns of Tamu, Kalay, Muse and Mogok. The impetus of movement against military dictatorship in Sagaing Region has reached to the highest peak in the last week of March. Amid several movements in Sagaing Region, the remarkable incident among Myanmar people is about the Tarhan Fortification from Kalay.
Tarhan Fortification
Kalay, located in Sagaing Region, is a district level city with a lot of government offices. The strikes in Kalay has begun since late February. However, Kalay movements have begun receiving attention by the end of March and in the very first days of April. The demonstrators usually protested on Bogyoke Street, KyanSitThar Street or City Ring roads, and in certain wards, including such as Kyun-thone-bin, Tarhan, Naypyitaw and Taungzalatt. When four residents were killed on March 28 through the demolition of Tarhan fortification by Military Council, the civilians started their resistance against military troops. Then Tarhan fortification and Tarhan Protest-Camp were erected in Tarhan Ward under the supervision of young people. Tarhan fortification was made up of sand bags and they called their base of operation as “Tarhan protest camp”. Tarhan fortification is situated in Bogyoke Street, Kalay. Tarhan protest camp comprised of two fortifications: Eastern Gate Fortress and Western MonLai village Fortress. Another fortification, called Taungthar, is also located near Taungthar village which is about a mile south of Tarhan fortification. One of the reasons why Kalay was destroyed seriously is of having the long distance between these two fortifications, remarked the strike leader. The residents stayed up all night in protest camp and resisted the military troops. The guns used include traditional macho guns, gas rifles and hand-made firearms.
Intensified Confrontation
Military Council sent more forces to Kalay after their serious loss. People from all villages along the road to Kalay attacked the military helping forces heading to Kalay. On March 31, a farmer was headshot when military troops opened fire on Natchaung village. Then the protestors captured four plainclothes officers in the same day. Arrested nine protest-leaders and four police officers were exchanged. Four military personnel were killed and another 17 were injured since protestors defended themselves with hunting rifles.
Formation of Kalay Civil Army
Young people could form Kalay Civil Army during these days. The confrontation was getting intensified between Military Council and CDM workers, protestors, villagers with hunting rifles and Kalay Civil Army. When Kalay Civil Army takes the lead in protesting, the motion of the clashes in Kalay was getting accelerated. Likewise, there were many clashes even in the nighttime whilst guarding their own bases. The confrontations reached the highest peak till the people from Tarhan Ward and from the villages along the road to Kalay left their homes.
Military Crackdown as a Response
Military Council is planning with a great care to destroy completely the Tarhan protest camp. Military troops built their bases about a furlong away from Tarhan protest camp and also built in the compound of Kalay University. They announced to occupy Tarhan fortification on April 6. On April 6, Military Council negotiated with the protestors to demolish the fort and promised not to open fire until 10 AM of April 7. However, Military troops attacked the Camp at 5 AM of April 7 and occupied the Tarhan fortification at 10 AM. Twelve civilians were killed during this fort demolition and 18 were also arrested. The detainees were handcuffed, beaten and blindfolded. Tarhan fortification was demolished with a backhoe. They shot the houses and raided the clinics. They stationed every street corner and opened fire on any movement.
Fig: Military Council Crackdown Protester in Kalay
Machine guns, artilleries and bombs were used during and before the demolition. According to the locals’ photo record, military troops used and shot with the powerful bombs. The locals said that 2 out of 4 military cars circling the city brought the machine guns. Though many youths from Tarhan fortification had been fleeing for their safety, the history of Tarhan fortification is still alive.
Chin State and Rakhine State
Confrontations between Military Council and protestors in Chin State caused people to flee into neighboring India’s Mizoram State. Zomi Federal Union has sent thanksgiving letters to Mizoram people and Mizoram Government which supported the humanitarian aids during this tough period. The Hakha Post Office was raided by polices and this is the first step to suppress the media groups based in ethnic regions.
In Rakhine State, the military-owned Yoma Bank was exploded in Sittwe and three family members died because of the bomb blast in Kyauktaw township. Until now, Military Council has not yet agreed upon the request of Arakan National Party (ANP) to release accused persons with the Counter Terrorism Law and to give the seat in Rakhine State Administration Council, reported the ANP spokesman. Two youths accused of joining AA were released in the same day.
Shan State: Even the Monks are praying
Two villagers were arrested in fighting between KIA and Military Council near Pankha village, Mai Yaw tract, Lashio township. Likewise, three houses were burnt in fighting between RCSS/SSA and the Northern Alliance of SSPP/SSA and TNLA in Man Lee village, Namatu township. The ethnic armed groups on both sides kept refusing upon the arrest of Mai Chit Maung Lay and U Aik Ngin during that fighting on 28 March, villagers reported to Shwe Phee Myay News Agency. The fighting between TNLA and Military Council was intensifying in Naung Man old-village, Mai Yu Lay village tract, Kutkai township. TNLA, through its own jurisdiction, had sentenced with death penalty upon a person who raped and killed a 5-year-old child and shot him to death. The monks from Shweli Valley urged to end the fighting between two Shan armed organizations.
Military Council’s violence is getting worse. Two civilians in Kyaukme were arrested without sound reason and even two youths staying inside their homes were shot. Likewise, three youths from Lashio were arrested even in their house at 2:00 AM. One youth was shot and died in Nyaungshwe, where Inle Lake is situated. Myanmar Now reported that Military Council had killed the demonstrators and hid their corpses in Muse, Northern Shan State, and in Aungpan and Kalaw, Southern Shan State. Senior military officer was hurt when SSPP shot the military helicopter. Again, Military Council declared to fight all bases of RCSS/SSA on Thai border during such days. TNLA confirmed Network Media Group that about (40) confrontations had been occurred between TNLA and RCSS during these two months. Human Rights Organization announced a statement that there might be a worrying situation for five IDP camps on Thai borders since the letter about Military Council’s preparation for air operation was issued.
TNLA confirmed that about (40) confrontations had been occurred between TNLA and RCSS during these two months.
Praying Kachin State
Kachine Independence Army (KIA) attacked the police station located in Kyaukkyi village, Shwegu township, Kachin State. KIA told that the reason for their attack was because the police units, together with military personnel, made violence upon the protestors. On April 1, KIA attacked the military-backed Yuzana Company. A long line of military trucks, which came from Tanai, was bombed between Mayankahtaung village and Lweliyan village, Mogaung township. When those trucks arrived near Samparli village, Mogaung township, they fought back the civilians and one man died. Regarding anti-dictatorship revolution, Kachin Alliance, Lisu National Organization and Rawang Development Organization jointly announced that KIO/KIA is an organization which is representing the Kachin nationals. Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) has announced that over 400 Churches will pray for the whole month of April to end the military dictatorship in Myanmar.
Seven-KNU Brigades: 2,000 confrontations & South-East Myanmar
(Mon, Karen, Tanintharyi)
Since after coup, there had been over 2,000 confrontations with Military Council in all of the Seven-KNU Brigades, reported KNU. Karen Information Centre (KIC) stated that there had been over 30,000 refugees in KNU territory. On April 8, Military Council based in Paw Khay Hkoh Camp blew twelve bombs in total – three bombs into YeMu Plaw village, four in Tebo Plaw village and five in Saw Mu Plaw village and then a sixty-year-old person from May Pwe Htar village, YeMu Plaw village-tract, Lu Thaw township, was killed due to such bombing attacks.
Similarly, Military Council artillery shells exploded within KNU Camp in Ye township, Mon State. Human Rights Organizations announced a statement that a worrying situation for five IDP camps on Thai borders might occur since the letter about Military Council’s preparation for air operation was issued. One bomb was exploded and a policeman was killed in Kawkareik. KNU told that Military Council had been planning to move Karen villages into Mon State territory. KNU Duplaya District officially announced to take action anyone if disturbed CDM movement.
Upper Myanmar (Mandalay, Magway, Sagaing)
Military Council used China-made CH-3A drones to track the large strike lines in Mandalay. Then Military Council spread their forces in the houses within Mogok township, Mandalay Region, and arrested a former Ward Administration Officer and four civilians. Again, Asia Light Foundation Charity monastery and clinic were inspected and raided by military troops and police forces and then the Thantithukha-parahita driver and one doctor were detained. U Kyaw Kyaw, one of the members of NLD, died shortly after capture in Naypyitaw.
April first week is the remarkable week for Sagaing Region. There were numerous protests and demonstrations across Region and such protests had faced the serious suppression of Military Council. Confrontations and gunshot happened in Kalay, Yimabin, Tamu and Gangaw.
Cars and other belongings of the stool-pigeons, so-called Dalan, were destroyed in Kalay and six policemen were killed by bomb blast on police office in Tamu. In Kalay, protesters kept building defense barriers and then faced confrontations with Military Council. Tahan Camp, the main strike camp of Kalay, was constantly, seriously attacked. Fighting broke out between Military-aid group forwarding to Kalay and traditional armed civilians near Taung Khin Yan village along Gangaw-Kalay Highway in Gangaw township, Magway Region. All people from Than Phoe village, Kalay township, displaced due to the intense pursuit of Military Council. Since Tahan Camp was surrounded with full forces and attacked by heavy weapons, it was later occupied and a lot of civilians died and many detained.
Lower Myanmar (Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwaddy)
Famous comedian Zarganar was arrested in his home at Yangon. Bomb exploded within the compound of 59th Infantry Battalion (KaLaYa 59), located between Winkabaw village and Baw Net Gyi village, Bago township, near Yangon-Mandalay Highway. Eight local Karen villagers from Thayet Gone village located near 59th Battalion were arrested after such explosion. Military Council forced to stop one YBS bus on ThuDamar Road, North Okalapa township, Yangon, and threatened the bus riders. The families faced difficulties to take even the corpses back in South Dagon township, which had been ordered Martial Law. In Pathein, Ayeyarwaddy Region, a fifteen-year-old child was shot and just the dead-body was returned to his family. One policeman from Hpa Do, Bago Region, was killed by stabbed. The students – the main backbone of protests – had established Yangon-based Universities’ Student Unions, which covered fifteen universities.
Peace Process
General Yawd Serk, the leader of PPST which is composed of 10-NCA signatories, stated a warm welcome for the abolition of 2008 constitution and the announcement of Federal Democracy Charter and called for an immediate end of killings civilians, and then he remarked that Federal Army would arise only if PPST and FPNCC cooperated together. And he condemned the bomb attack in KNU territory. Northern Brotherhood Alliance sent a welcome letter to mark “32 Years of Peace” of United Wa State Army (UWSA). Colonel Khun Okkar, the leader of the Pa-O National Liberation Army, told that it was planning to create a unified force like United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). Than Khe, the Chairman of All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), Colonel Khun Okkar, and Khu Thae Yal from Kayah State Democratic Party (KySDP), expressed their support upon the announcement of Federal Democracy Charter by CRPH and told that they hoped to draw a federal constitution through that Charter. SNLD urged to establish Federal Union and Federal Army by holding strong commitments. However, UWSA’s Southern Communication Department Spokesman told that there was no special comment upon the military coup.
Protestors in Myanmar
South Korean Mayor and some General Administration Officers also protested against the Myanmar military-dictatorship, and Myanmar people staying in Japan and South Korea also kept protesting. There had been several online protests, including Easter Eggs campaigns, in Myanmar. The youths could perform to broadcast a Radio Channel for the Federal Democracy Progress. CDM movement is still robust and one CDM officer recounted that Military Council had been in chaos since before coup. The demonstrating people pledged the relevant stakeholders for R2P.
IDPs
In Kachin State, over nine-hundred refugees in Injangyang township were facing the shortage of supply and the number of refugees reached up to 400 because of the battles between Military Council and KIA in Hpakan township. In Rakhine State, three-hundred refugees sheltering in the Church of Christ (KBCS) Bible School, were facing the lack of drinking water and over 300 IDP houses were destroyed by a strong wind in Paletwa. Furthermore, in Tein Nyo IDP Camp, which was caught with fire, fifty temporary shelters were finished but still left many problems. Thai authorities allowed once to help Karen refugees and UNHCR also planned to help such fleeing villagers as well. Over 1500 IDPs displaced due to the fighting between ethnic armed organizations in Northern Shan State. And the IDPs from 4 different camps expressed their anxiety about the possibility of intensive fighting between Military Council and Shan armed groups on Thai border.
International, US, EU and other
US, EU and Western countries are constantly imposing sanctions upon the businesses of Military Council. Ambassadors from 17 different countries called for an end of violence and the restoration of democracy and the new President of the UN Security Council (Vietnam) stated that the end of violence was the first priority for Myanmar. UN warned the instability of rescue system since medical workers were tortured and Save the Children Group also announced that there had been 43 children killed by the violence of Military Council. The UN Special Envoy is ready to come but she is now allowed by Military Council and on the other hand, UN urged certain countries, including Myanmar, to sign the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. UK backed ASEAN push for Myanmar crisis but Japanese parliamentarians declared the Myanmar Military Council as the human rights violators. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned ASEAN to be aware of the external pressure in respect of Myanmar Crisis. Russia stated that the sanctions could possibly create the civil war in Myanmar. ASEAN Chair (Brunei) would call an informal ASEAN meeting for Myanmar Crisis. It is announced that Thai Air Forces are planning to bring Thai nationals back from Myanmar.
Summarized Evaluation
It can be clearly seen that all stakeholders are doing the obvious action respectively during this tough crisis. Certain suggestions to make negotiations for Myanmar political turmoil appear gradually. On the other hand, the forces of the youths are getting stronger and doing to overthrow the dictatorship through various means. In order to reach its political goal, CRPH is also trying to have negotiations with ethnic armed organizations, political institutions and general strike committees and it is heading to form the parallel government.
Meanwhile, military council did not obey any advice or warning from others and kept using violence. The progress to end the over-60-year-long-civil-war is possibly heading to break due to the military coup and that coup has created the definite potential to cause the serious civil war in Myanmar.