In Burma, the junta intensifies the repression

In Phnom Penh

Thick black smoke still rose high in the Yangon sky on Monday afternoon.

The day before, the industrial district of Hlaing Tharyar, in the western suburbs of the Burmese economic capital, was the scene of clashes between armed forces and demonstrators, among the bloodiest since the February 1 coup.

Accusing China of supporting the military junta against which they oppose, some demonstrators voluntarily set fire to several dozen Chinese companies located in this poor part of the city.

Chinese state media

reported on Monday.

, adding that two Chinese nationals were injured in the fires.

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In front of the demonstrators, the soldiers of Tatmadaw, nickname given to the Burmese army, opened fire.

At least 22 civilians lost their lives in Hlaing Tharyar.

To which are added 16 deaths in different cities of the country, as well as that of a police officer, the second since the coup.

These 39 deaths make Sunday the bloodiest day since the start of the civil disobedience movement that has gripped Burmese society over the past six weeks.

They bring the official human toll of the repression to 126.

Escalation in violence

But the prospect of escalation in violence looms.

After decreeing martial law in two districts of Yangon on Sunday evening, the military junta said Monday morning that five others from the former capital were now affected, as well as certain districts of the city of Mandalay, 600 kilometers further north. .

On Monday, images showed an impressive procession made up of several dozen military trucks traveling to Hlaing Tharyar to quell the protests that continued there.

At least 6 deaths were to be deplored.

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Fearing the amalgamation with Chinese entrepreneurs, Taiwan, which has no local diplomatic representation, advised its investors based in Burma to raise the island's red and blue flags, as well as messages in Burmese bearing the mention " Taiwanese company ”to

In a statement, the Embassy of Great Britain, the former colonial power, on Sunday called on the military regime

In the legislative elections in November, the National League for Democracy (LND), the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, came largely in the lead, with more than 80% of the vote.

But the "lady of Rangoon", now under house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw, is being prosecuted for at least four counts: illegal importation of walkie-talkies, non-compliance with restrictions linked to the coronavirus, violation of a law on telecommunications and incitement to public disturbances.

An online hearing was scheduled to be held on Monday but could not take place due to internet connection problems.

It is postponed to March 24.