Myanmar coup: military asks security forces not to use live ammunition on protesters
- The military junta’s call came amid international condemnation over Sunday’s crackdown on protesters, in which 18 people died
- Asean foreign ministers will hold a meeting with Myanmar’s military leaders in an effort to open a channel to tackle its escalating political crisis
The announcement was made in a military-run broadcast after the country saw its deadliest protest since the February 1 coup, with the United Nations saying at least 18 protesters were killed and 30 others wounded on Sunday.
“When it comes to crowd dispersal methods, security forces have been instructed not to use live bullets,” the broadcast stated, accusing protesters of instigating violence by using catapults and petrol bombs. “Security forces are allowed to protect themselves when protesters harm their lives by firing shots at the protesters below the waist.”
It was not immediately clear that troops would use only rubbers bullets in their defence.
Myanmar police opened fire to disperse demonstrators on Tuesday, witnesses said, after protesters, many wearing hard hats and clutching makeshift shields, gathered behind barricades in different parts of the main city of Yangon to chant slogans against military rule.