Further protest rallies against the military coup in Burma were violently dispersed on Sunday by security forces, media and local sources reporting three protesters killed.
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The country has been rocked by a wave of pro-democracy protests and a campaign of civil disobedience since the coup that toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
Sunday morning, security forces were mobilized in large numbers to quickly disperse the front crowds who gathered in response to a call for new demonstrations.
The authorities gradually increased the use of force to disperse them, with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and sometimes live ammunition.
Three people died and around 20 others were injured when authorities intervened against a rally in the southern coastal town of Dawei, according to a health worker and local media.
Pyae Zaw Hein, a volunteer with the rescuers, told AFP that the three were "
hit by live ammunition
", while the wounded were hit by rubber bullets.
“
There could be a lot more casualties because we continue to receive wounded,
” he added.
Local media outlet Dawei Watch also reported three deaths.
In Yangon, the security forces also quickly dispersed a demonstration.
But it is not known whether live ammunition was fired.
"
The police started shooting as soon as we arrived,
" Amy Kyaw, a 29-year-old schoolteacher, told AFP.
“
There was not a word of warning.
Some were injured and some are still hiding in houses in the neighborhood.
"
Live social media broadcasts showed security forces using tear gas against crowds in Yangon as well as water cannons in the town of Mandalay, further north.
