The Myanmar security forces opened fire at peaceful protesters on Sunday, in various cities. The firing killed 18 people and 30 wounded. This is the highest single-day death toll ever since protests began in Myanmar on February 2. The protesters have been demanding the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League of Democracy party be reinstated. Suu Kyi was ousted by the military in a coup on February 1. The military forces also detained 1000 protesters on Sunday.
Military forces on Sunday used ammunition including grenades, teargas and gunfire. Force was used to disperse the protesters in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Meyik Bago and Pokokku, AP reports. "Myanmar is like a battlefield," Charles Maung Bo, the archbishop of Yangon and Myanmar's first Catholic cardinal, wrote on Twitter.
Local media organisation the Democratic Voice of Burma reported five deaths in Yangon, two in Mandalay and five in Dawei. Protesters on Sunday were wearing plastic helmets carrying makeshift shields anticipating a face-off with military forces.
Thousands of protesters have been gathering every day across the nation, demanding that democratic government be restored. Military General Min Aung Hlaing has said Suu Kyi victory in the November elections is fraudulent. Military leaders have promised elections in a year.
“Live ammunition should not be used to control or disperse protests and lethal force can only be used to protect life or prevent serious injury,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch told AP.
Students and doctors in white lab coats outside a hospital in Yangon scattered after the police hurled stun grenades at them.
"We stand firmly with the courageous people of Burma & encourage all countries to speak with one voice in support of their will," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken wrote on Twitter.
Since the coup on February 1, around 1,132 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced. Military leaders, via the state-run Global New Light Of Myanmar, said, “severe action will be inevitably taken" against "riotous protesters”.
Even though military leaders have shrugged off diplomatic pressure, nations like the UK and the US have imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and businesses that benefit military officials.