Indonesia calls for special Asean summit as Myanmar death toll rises

The total number killed in weeks of unrest has risen to at least 233 as some protesters continue rallying against the February 1 coup

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is proposing for an Asean leaders’ meeting to be held immediately; a move backed by Malaysia

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Protesters run as tear gas is fired by security forces in Yangon’s Thaketa township on March 19, 2021. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:44pm, 19 Mar 2021Updated: 11:08pm, 19 Mar 2021

Myanmar security forces on Friday shot dead nine opponents of a February 1 coup, a funeral services provider and media said, as Indonesia urged an end to the violence and the restoration of democracy, in an unusually blunt call from a neighbour.

Military and police have used increasingly violent tactics to suppress demonstrations by supporters of detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but that has not put off the protesters, with crowds turning out again in several towns.

Security forces opened fire in a confrontation in the central town of Aungban as they tried to clear a protesters’ barricade, media and a witness reported.

“Security forces came to remove barriers but the people resisted and they fired shots,” the witness, who declined to be identified, said by telephone.

An official with Aungban’s funerary service, who declined to be identified, said eight people were killed – seven on the spot, and one wounded person who died after being taken to hospital in the nearby town of Kalaw.

The spokesman for the junta was not immediately available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary. Critics have derided that explanation.

One protester was killed in the northeastern town of Loikaw, the Myanmar Now news portal said, and there was some shooting in the main city of Yangon, but no word on casualties.