At least two protesters were shot dead by police and army forces in the second largest city in the country • The demonstrators documented snipers opening fire at the protesting crowd
Injured gunman evacuated from demonstration in Mandalay // Photo: Reuters
Two people were killed and dozens more injured, including 21 in critical condition, as Myanmar army forces opened fire on protesters in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, in an attempt to quell the country's growing protest movement against the military coup earlier this month.
Supporters of the protest uploaded videos showing protesters being hit by sniper fire, bleeding and suffering serious injuries.
The shooting began after striking port workers confronted police and prevented them from dispersing protesters.
The protesters rained objects and stones on police forces entering side streets near the river, forcing police forces to retreat.
Following the retreat, military and police personnel began firing live ammunition at the protesters.
The Reuters news agency reported that one of the protesters was killed on the spot from a direct hit to the head while another protester died from a chest gunshot wound.
The protest in Myanmar continued last week with more vigor, with more and more sectors of the local economy announcing a strike and joining the protests.
The person behind the protest movement is the National League for Democracy, the largest political party in the country and the one that won power in the elections that were held in the country last year.
Lee (pseudonym), a resident of the country, recounts: "The military has sent snipers to shoot their people. The world needs to see what they are willing to do to us. We just want the government we have chosen."