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Myanmar junta says protestors are responsible for violence

The EU placed Myanmar junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing on an assets freeze

MYANMAR-POLITICS/LEGITIMACY This undated picture shows Myint Htwe, a regional lawmaker, addressing a crowd in Monywa, Sagaing Region in Myanmar | Reuters

Myanmar military junta say that anti-coup protestors are responsible for the violence as Western nations continue imposing sanctions on military leaders and groups responsible for the coup. At least 232 protestors have lost their lives in the protests so far. Myanmar has been in a state of turmoil since a military coup ousted de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Protestors are demanding Suu Kyi's release.

"They are also our citizens," Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told Reuters, talking about the protesters who lost their lives. Security forces raided parts of Yangon on Monday and some people were injured as shots were fired at protestors.

Residents in Yangon's Hlaing township, on Monday, released hundreds of red helium balloons with posters calling for a UN intervention to stop atrocities, a Reuters report reads.

In Mandalay, three people were killed including a teenage boy. At least 2,600 people have been arrested since the coup.

The European Union on Monday placed Myanmar junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing on an assets freeze and visa ban blacklist.

In an attempt to stem news flow, the military leadership has cancelled the licenses of five media organisations. Aung San Suu Kyi faces charges like illegal possession of walkie talkies, corruption and publication of information that may "cause fear or alarm” or disrupt “public tranquillity”.

Myanmar activists in Japan, called upon the international community and Japanese government to move to “stop the killing” in their homeland. The activists are urging that an arms embargo be imposed to put pressure on the military.

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