Thousands Strike Against Myanmar’s Military Rule

 

Source: The Wire

Large crowds gathered in the main city of Yangon, the largest city of Myanmar, criticizing the military for detaining the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and demanding to release their elected leaders.

 

Thousands of protestors also gathered in the city of Mandalay in central Myanmar and the coastal town of Mawlamyine and have pledged to continue their protests until their elected leaders are released and democracy returns.

 

People paraded from across the city to Sule Pagoda raising their hands in a three-finger salute which is an indication used by pro-democracy activists which displays opposition to the military. 

 

Many protestors wore red shirts or carried red balloons, the colour of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party. As they roamed through the roads of the city, drivers honked their horns while young children with their families were waving small NLD flags.

 

Some stayed overnight outside a police station in the town of Payathonzu in Karen state where NLD politicians were arrested.

 

Aung San Suu Kyi had been accused of illegally importing walkie-talkies which could result in a charge of two years in prison. Win Myint, President of Myanmar, had been accused of breaking the rules of the pandemic by meeting people during the campaign.

 

 

Turmoil Over the Controversial Election

 

A crisis has been raised in the country between the military and the democratically-elected government ever since Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, claimed an incredible victory by winning almost 80% of the vote, in the country’s elections on 9 November 2020.

 

Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint have not been seen in public since they were imprisoned early on Monday, 1 February. In November, their party called the National League for Democracy (NLD) won an election but the military refused to accept the results of the vote.

 

The news was released on military television saying that this move was in answer to “fraud during the previous year’s election”. 

 

They also said that power had been given to the army’s commander-in-chief, General Min Aung Hlaing, who would be holding power for one year after which there would probably be re-elections.

 

While the current military front party, Army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) faced a humiliating defeat. The USDP did not accept the result arguing that it was due to manipulation of elections. 


On January 28, Myanmar’s election council dismissed these claims and verified the NLD victory.

 

Presently, the military is concerned that it is losing its command and that Aung San Suu Kyi might utilize citizens' support to force constitutional changes, hamper the military’s control which would lead them to do something against the elected government.

 

 

Internet Shut Down

 

Phone lines and internet access were blocked for almost 24 hours in an attempt to control protests and prohibiting media and rights groups to extend their support for protestors but large crowds continued to join the protest.

 

Many rumours were spread to control the protest like a false report has been published which said that Aung San Suu Kyi had been released. Crowds then began celebrating on the streets after this news but later her lawyer clarified that it was a rumour.

 

 

History of Military Control in Myanmar

 

The country had spent almost half a century under military law before it started to move to a more democratic system. The Suu Kyi-led NLD had created the first democratically elected government in 2015 after a 50-year long military law in the country.

 

The control of the military over the country is not new for the Burmese people. In some way, it's the military of Myanmar that has controlled the country since 1962.

 

 

Views of Protestors

 

Protesters think that this is their last chance to get rid of this evil dictatorship. Consequently, the intent behind the protest is to regain their freedom. If this dictatorship will continue, then it will affect not only the present generation but also the future generation. So, it's high time to destroy the very root of it.

 

Recently, the civil disobedience march has also grown, which includes many doctors and teachers who are now refusing to work. A revolutionary song from the pro-democracy campaign has been sung across the city.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The United Nations Security Council responded to the protest and expressed their concern over the military control in Myanmar and ordered the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other people who were imprisoned.

 

Protestors are expecting political reforms and the democratic transition to achieve in Myanmar. The citizens of the country believe that democracy will be the solution to all of the country’s crises and hence all are struggling for democracy in Myanmar. 

 

In recent years, the Army has loosened its grip on the government and society. Suu Kyi’s popularity and an active NLD party that was in power for five years had given hopes to citizens that the country is on its way to a better democratic future. This protest was an endeavour to bring democracy and hence peace in Myanmar.

 

 

 

Written by - Khushboo Dhuliya


Edited by - Christeena George