Myanmar’s military is asking families for $ 85 to retrieve the bodies of family members who died in the crackdown

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At least 82 people were killed Friday in Bago, 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of Yangon, after the city was “raided” by military security forces, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group said.

More than 700 people have been killed since the military overthrew Myanmar’s elected government in a Feb. 1 coup, according to AAPP. Since then, junta security forces, made up of police, soldiers and elite anti-insurgent forces, have embarked on a systematic crackdown on unarmed and peaceful protesters, detaining about 3,000 people and forcing activists into hiding.

Myanmar’s military fired at anti-coup protesters in Bago town on Friday, using assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and hand grenades, AAPP said.

An eyewitness living in the town of Bago, who cannot be named for security reasons, told CNN Sunday that many residents have fled to nearby villages since Friday’s raid. Internet in the area has been shut down since Friday, the eyewitness said, and security forces are searching the neighborhoods.

‘I lived on the main road. Security forces often come and station, ”the eyewitness told CNN, adding that after the shootings, bodies piled up near the morgue. “Because of the threat, we had to move into the house in the street nearby”,

According to a Facebook post from the Bago University Students’ Union, the military is now asking families of 120,000 Myanmar-kyat ($ 85) to retrieve the bodies of relatives who died on Friday.

Radio Free Asia’s Burmese service was consistent with Bago University Students’ Union coverage. CNN has not independently verified the report and has reached out to the military for comment.

A police vehicle is parked on a road in South Okkalapa Municipality to block the gathering of anti-coup protesters in Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, April 9, 2021.

According to the state newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar, Myanmar’s military claimed its troops were attacked by protesters in Bago on Friday.

“ Security forces were attacked by groups of rioters as they removed roadblocks solidified by the rioters on the street in Bago yesterday, ” reported Global New Light of Myanmar, adding, “ Rioters used handmade guns, firebottles, arrows, handmade shields and grenades to attack the security forces. “

The newspaper said a protester died in Friday’s incident. “Evidence of confiscated grenades and ammunition indicates that small arms have been used,” the report added.

Myanmar’s military detained a volunteer Red Cross physician in Bago on April 2, the organization confirmed to CNN on Sunday. The volunteer, Nay Myo, who is also chairman of the Red Cross in Bago, has not been charged but is still in prison, the Red Cross said.

Another volunteer doctor who provided free on-site medical care, Wai Yan Myo Lwin, was detained in Bago on Sunday, his family confirmed to CNN.

Protesters march during a rally against the military coup in Yangon on April 11, 2021.

Kickback to violence

The US embassy in Myanmar called for an end to the violence on Sunday.

“We mourn the senseless loss of life in Bago and across the country where the regime’s armed forces have reportedly used weapons of war against civilians,” the embassy said in a statement. posting to his official Twitter account.

“The regime has the ability to resolve the crisis and must begin to end violence and attacks,” it added.

Myanmar's military denies responsibility for infant mortality and says elections could be delayed

The NGO Human Rights Watch published a letter on Thursday urging the European Union to “fully implement” sanctions against the military and “to urgently enact additional sanctions”.

“The people of Myanmar were once against the bullets of the army, but they are continuing their fight with courage and inexorability,” the letter said. “EU condemnation and efforts to promote accountability and justice for serious, widespread and systematic abuses by the military junta are welcome and important, but words and steps are not enough.”

But the army commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, defended the coup over the weekend, claiming that the junta was “not seizing power but taking steps to strengthen the multi-party democracy system,” Global New Light of Myanmar said.

Military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun previously told CNN that the generals are only “protecting” the country while investigating a “fraudulent” election, and the bloodshed in the streets has been blamed on “dissolute” protesters.

CNN stringers in Myanmar added to the report.

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