Nationwide silent strike campaign brings cities to a standstill
While recent days exhibited confusion and reluctance among people as to whether a silent strike campaign should be observed, March 24 proved different. Streets across the country, including cities and rural areas, were deserted, shops shuttered and markets closed.
Some youth expressed their silent strike on social media with photos of closed lips. Similarly, many famous youth artists joined the silent strike campaign along with monks from Mandalay who also joined the anti-dictatorship movement via their Arnapanathati strike.
Not all regions of the country, however, were aware of the call for a nationwide silent strike campaign on Wednesday owing to widespread Internet connection problems. In these regions some people took to the streets, marching in procession in small towns and villages.
Over 700 detainees released
The State Administrative Council (SAC) released over 700 detainees on March 24. These detainees were arrested by police and army troops in crackdowns on anti-coup demonstrations in townships in Yangon Region on March 2 and 3. They were taken to their respective area police stations by YBS city buses from Insein prison where it is learned they were released on personal bond.
Lawyers working for these detainees said at least 20 leading strikers, student union leaders and political activists were still being detained, charged under section 505 of the Penal Code.
Court hearings of Aung San Suu Kyi postponed to April 1
The date for court hearings in the cases of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who are being detained by the military, was postponed to April 1 on the grounds of unavailable Internet connections for court proceedings and video conferencing. Similarly, court hearings fixed for March 15 for these same officials were postponed to March 24 on the same grounds.
The State Administrative Council (SAC) has charged Aung San Suu Kyi with illegal import and use of telecommunications equipment and violating restrictions imposed under the Natural Disaster Management Law. Moreover, the SAC said in a recent press conference that they are looking into taking additional action against the State Counsellor through graft charges under the Anti-Corruption Law.
17 youth from Yankin arrested
The State Administrative Council (SAC) arrested 17 youth from Yankin on March 24, the same day many detainees were released from Insein prison. These youth come from No. 13 Ward of Yankin Township and one of them is reportedly a 14-year old Grade 9 student.
Army units reportedly raided their homes via forcible entry along with destroying roadblocks and firing live ammunition. Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung said on her Facebook page that these youth were from the frontline protection team and equipped with shields for their anti-coup protest demonstrations in the area.
Mawlamyine youth call for stern action against Myanmar military
Youth from Mawlamyine on March 24 called on the UN to take stern action against the Myanmar military over the killing of innocent people. The demonstration employed banners held under the Thanlwin Bridge. They also called for the killing of State Administrative Council (SAC) leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
In their banners and placards the Mawlamyine youth said their legitimate government is the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), not the SAC, and they called on the UN to stop the Myanmar military from killing people with live ammunition in protest demonstrations.
Monywa main strike column draws thousands of people in support
People in Monywa took part in a nationwide silent strike campaign on March 24 from the morning until 3 p.m. Taking to the streets in Monywa was a main strike column with thousands of people chanting anti-coup slogans. Besides this main strike column, people launched anti-coup demonstrations in local areas throughout the city by marching in procession. After marching in procession, the Monywa main strike column launched a sit-in strike and announced a planned general strike for March 27.
The confirmed death toll of anti-coup protesters killed in demonstrations has reached 275 from the date of the coup on February 1 to March 22. Moreover, some 2,700 political activists, journalists, students and others have been detained, of which 2,302 are facing various criminal charges, according to a statement issued by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on March 23.
