Myanmar politician ‘beaten to death’ in custody as police start occupying major hospitals

Attempts by the military to occupy a university in Mandalay were met with strong protests

Military intensifies its clampdown is Myanmar by occupying hospitals and universities as nationwide protests continue (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Troops in Myanmar have occupied hospitals and universities as part of their clampdown against nationwide protests in the country against the military coup.

Many hospitals, university campuses, and temple compounds in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Tanintharyi, Mandalay and Sagaing regions and Mon, Kayah, Kachin and Rakhine states have been occupied, according to local media reports.

On Sunday, the body of U Khin Maung Latt who was arrested on Saturday, was received by his family who were reportedly told that he had died after fainting. He was a member of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

However, activists claim that he died in custody after getting beaten up by the police. A blood-stained cloth was also photographed near the 58-year-old politician’s head.

In Yangon, soldiers occupied the city’s largest hospital, Yangon General Hospital, as well as Gandhi Hospital and the Waibargi Specialist Hospital, medical workers told Myanmar Now.

The public demand to vacate hospitals and other occupied areas has been growing stronger, with hospital staff reported to be in conversation with the troops, however, it isn’t clear if any of the areas have been vacated.

In the city of Mandalay, the military’s attempt to occupy a university was met with strong protests after which tear gas and rubber bullets were fired, leaving several people injured.

“Two teachers were also beaten. Now the soldiers are stationed inside the university. They were still firing shots when we had to leave the scene,” one of the victims, Kyaw Thu, who sustained injuries on his face, told Myanmar Now.

Along with Mandalay’s general hospitals and government buildings, army personnels were also spotted at the famous Mahamuni Buddha Temple, one of Myanmar’s most popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites, according to the report. 

The military has reportedly arrested hundreds of people involved in protesting its seizure of power on 1 February, while several strikes and demonstrations are being called in different areas.

More than 54 people have died in crackdowns on protests, including many teenagers and young people, according to the United Nations.

Locals also reported hearing sounds of gunfire and grenades in Yangon over the weekend, according to media reports. Security forces have been raiding residential areas and arresting people without offering any clarification, one of the residents told Reuters.

However, despite the violent clampdown measures, protests have been erupting in several cities, along with a trade union strike on Monday that resulted in shops, factories and banks downing shutters in Yangon.