Burma: still thousands in the streets against the military junta

(ANSA) - RANGOON, 07 MAR - Thousands of protesters returned to take to the streets today in various cities of Burma to protest against the military junta that took power in a coup d'état and the police have again used firearms, according to what affirmed by sources of the opposition.

The rallies took place despite the raids carried out last night during which some leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's party were arrested and one of them, still according to the opposition, died after being beaten.

During a demonstration in Bagan, famous for its hundred-year-old pagodas, detonations were heard and an 18-year-old was hit by a bullet in his jaw, according to rescuers.

A local news site talks about five injured.

In Rangoon, the main city and economic center of Burma, the police fired again to disperse the rallies, while the demonstrators chanted the slogan 'Let's chase the dictator. "That is, the head of the military junta, MinAung Hlaing.

    Last night in the same Rangoon were arrested leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, de facto head of the civil government after the February 1 coup.

A local NLD chief, Khin Maung Latt, 58, was killed according to opposition sources.

"He was beaten and then taken away from his home, and he did not survive the harsh interrogation he was subjected to," said Tun Kyi, a former political prisoner.

(HANDLE).