Authorities in Myanmars Mandalay area on Wednesday detained almost 20 individuals accused of getting involved in a “Silent Strike,” bringing the number of those arrested in connection with the nationwide anti-junta protest to more than 200 in recent days, according to sources.
Residents of Mandalays Mahar Aung Myae area informed RFAs Myanmar Service on Thursday that security forces obstructed off streets for many of the previous day and arrested at least 19 people– including a Buddhist monk and numerous youth activist leaders.
Ashin Raza Dhama, the leader of the Mandalay Buddhist Monk Union, stated junta forces searched Mahar Aungs Sein Pan ward and detained “around 15 people.”
” In the night, four leaders [who led] boycotts were taken,” he stated of the youth activists, whose names were kept due to issues for their security and that of their households.
” Today, I heard they are browsing in Myaukpyin area the very same way they performed in Sein Pan,” he included.
Authorities also detained a Buddhist monk from Mandalays Thingazar Monastery, declaring that he was associated with the protests.
Streets in Myanmar were mostly empty on Feb. 1 as individuals across the country took part in the Silent Strike to oppose the 1 year anniversary of the military coup, regardless of a week of junta risks and arrests of organizers.
Public locations around the country were significantly barren, except for periodic groups of youths holding flash protests. In the lead as much as the anniversary of the Feb. 1, 2021, coup, authorities had actually alerted of hard penalties– including life in prison– for anybody found applauding, honking or otherwise expressing assistance for the strike.
The motion marked the 3rd Silent Strike given that the military took power, the others being available in March in the immediate consequences of the putsch and in December on International Human Rights Day. In the past year, security forces have jailed more than 9,000 civilians and killed 1,546– mostly throughout nonviolent anti-junta demonstrations, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Residents of Mandalay said the junta is detaining protest leaders in the area to tighten up security ahead of the 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of Union Day on Feb. 12. The vacation celebrates the 1947 finalizing of the Panglong Agreement by ethnic bulk Burmans and the countrys minorities to form a union following Myanmars self-reliance from Britain on Jan. 4 a year later.
Sources expressed issue for the safety of the four protest leaders who were arrested Wednesday, who they said are on the juntas “desired list.”
One source, who spoke on condition of privacy pointing out worry of reprisal, said that jailing the youth leaders will not end the resistance against the military routine.
” The revolution will not be stopped. It may take some time to recover, however it will be rebooted. The protesters will come out again,” he stated.
The source called on more individuals to take part in the motion against the junta, saying that the political scenario in the nation has actually intensified.
” Popular participation has actually declined. We no longer have safehouses, and it has actually become more tough to organize,” he said.
” We hope nothing occur to [the leaders] I feel bad since they are extremely essential for us.”
Tayzar San, a protest leader in Mandalay, said the juntas violent crackdown on dissent will be its failure.
” People throughout the country are completely encouraged and in the state of mind for transformation,” he said.
” The individualss involvement in the Silent Strike throughout the anniversary of the coup is evidence of that. Individuals of Myanmar will push back when the military attempts to press them down.”
We revealed on Facebook that we would close our stores on Feb. 1 according to New Year custom,” she said. “Now my partner has actually been apprehended, and I am in problem taking care of 3 kids.”.
He used to call me when he is coming home, but he didnt that evening,” she stated. I believe they are just utilizing the laws to limit individual liberty,” the lawyer stated.
” They are attempting to instill fear amongst young people from using internet,” he said.
Youths demonstration ahead of the 1 year anniversary of the military coup, Jan. 28, 2022. Person reporter
Lots arrests over quiet strike
Prior to Wednesday, the junta stated that authorities had actually jailed 193 people throughout the country between Jan. 27 and Feb. 8 for presumably using assistance for or motivating others to participate in the strike by committing to close their stores on social networks.
The statement stated that it will charge the supposed strike supporters under the Counter-Terrorism Act and the Electronic Communications Act, and that those condemned of violating the laws undergo having their residential or commercial property taken.
Member of the family of those apprehended told RFA on Thursday that they were not talking about participation in the strike when they posted messages about closing shops, but simply blogging about how they planned to observe the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which also falls on Feb. 1.
A female who decreased to be named said she had not had contact with her partner because his arrest for apparently closing his store..
” We are ethnic Chinese. We revealed on Facebook that we would close our shops on Feb. 1 according to New Year tradition,” she said. “Now my other half has actually been arrested, and I remain in problem taking care of three kids.”.
A foreteller in Yangon named Thar Htet Hsann was likewise amongst those apprehended in current days.
His wife stated he was apprehended for apparently getting involved in the strike but that he always takes the day off on Mondays.
” He closes his foreteller store every Monday. He utilized to call me when he is coming home, but he didnt that night,” she said. “Later, I saw something about his arrest on the news on TV. I have 2 children. They are still extremely young, and I do not know what to do.”.
Instilling fear through arrests.
The representative of a social media watchdog group in Myanmar stated the junta deals with popular pro-military influencers to keep track of the activities of users.
” There are a lot of accounts of individuals called Kyaw Zwar, Han Nyein Oo or Thazin Oo on Telegram,” he stated, referring to a popular social networks platform.
” We learnt that they are military supporters. We discovered that they are keeping track of activities on these channels and taking actions by initiating these arrests.”.
Efforts by RFA to call junta Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for discuss the arrests connected to the silent strike went unanswered on Thursday.
A court attorney who works on human rights violation cases in Yangon informed RFA that if a person runs their own private service and independently pays local taxes, the authorities can not jail them for closing their store.
” The arrests are unlawful and unlawful. They are utilizing the law to oppress individuals. I think they are simply utilizing the laws to limit specific flexibility,” the attorney said.
A Facebook user and youth activist in Yangon stated the military council is attempting to daunt its opposition with the arrests.
” They are attempting to impart worry among young individuals from utilizing internet,” he said. “We will make certain they can not govern us. We will continue the resistance online.”.
Reported by Soe San Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Equated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
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