BANGKOK - Myanmar on Saturday (March 27) witnessed the deadliest violence since the Feb 1 coup as junta chief Min Aung Hlaing declared that he would protect the people and safeguard democracy.
At least 114 people were killed by police and soldiers trying to suppress nationwide demonstrations against the military regime on the highly symbolic Armed Forces Day, according to Myanmar Now news agency on Saturday night.
The toll included 40 deaths in Mandalay and 27 deaths in Yangon, it reported.
In images widely circulated online despite broad Internet restrictions, many people - including children - were seen shot in the head or chest.
"Dear world, we don't need Nobel or anything. Just protect our young people and children," tweeted Myanmar's Civil Disobedience Movement.
The activist network coordinating work stoppages to thwart the military regime was earlier nominated by Norwegian academics for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Earlier, in the morning, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presided over a military parade aired live from the capital Naypyitaw attended by Russia's deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin.
"The army seeks to join hands with the entire nation to safeguard democracy," the senior general said, in reference to the military's claim of fraud in the Nov 8 election which was won by the National League for Democracy.
"Violent acts that affect stability and security in order to make demands are inappropriate," he added.
Elected lawmakers challenging the legitimacy of the regime issued a rival statement.
Mr Mahn Win Khaing Than, the acting vice-president appointed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw which is working on behalf of the ousted civilian politicians, said on Saturday: "Democracy is in its infancy due to the collective efforts of all ethnic peoples to completely overthrow the decades-long oppressive military dictatorship and establish a federal democratic union."
He called for a federal union army to protect people's lives and property.
"The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and various ethnic fraternities are now in constant talks to end the military dictatorship on Myanmar soil, and soon a multi-ethnic national unity government will emerge," he said.
Without taking into account Saturday's toll, 328 people have been killed and over 2,000 arrested since the coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has said earlier on Saturday.
<p>TOPSHOT - This photo taken and received from an anonymous source via Facebook on March 27, 2021 shows protesters taking part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon's Hlaing township. (Photo by Handout / FACEBOOK / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ANONYMOUS SOURCE" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS</p>
Tensions are rising between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group which has condemned the coup and is sheltering dissidents in its territory near the Thai border.
Anticipating possible clashes, a group of 294 villagers from Myanmar fled to Thailand by crossing the Salween river on Friday.
When asked about this, Colonel Chaidan Grisanasuwarn, commander of the special taskforce of Thailand's 7th infantry division overseeing the area told The Sunday Times: "There has been constant fighting between armed groups and the Myanmar military and people flee in fear of being forced to work as porters.
"They will not stay long and we don't have any policy to let them stay long."
The Myanmar junta has shown no signs of relenting despite growing isolation.
Meanwhile, the visit by Russia's deputy defence minister drew flak from protesters dead set against any recognition of the regime.
Russia is a key supplier for Myanmar's military. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute show Myanmar spent about US$807 million (S$1 billion) on Russian equipment in the previous decade up to 2019.
<p>This screengrab provided via AFPTV and taken from a broadcast by Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) in Myanmar on March 26, 2021 shows Myanmar armed forces chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (centre L) showing Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin (C) various items, that the junta says were confiscated after being used in protests against the security forces, in Naypyidaw. (Photo by Handout / various sources / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Myanmar Radio and Television via AFPTV " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS</p>
PHOTO: Myanmar Radio and Television
Mr Aaron Connelly, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted the Russians tried to portray the event as a "return visit" following Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's attendance of the Russian military's Victory Day Parade last year.
He told ST: "A visit by Fomin right now would probably have a lot more to do with arms sales than it would have to do with showing support for the junta or discouraging Western action against the junta or anything like that."
