The army in Burma fired on Thursday at a demonstration of medical personnel in Mandalay, killing a passer-by and leaving two injured, according to a doctor, in a context of the junta's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.
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The February 1 coup by a military junta, which toppled the government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, took thousands of Burmese to the streets and led to strikes crippling many sectors of the economy , including the medical sector.
The generals repress the pro-democracy movement more and more harshly.
Over 700 people have been killed and over 3,000 arrested.
In Mandalay (center), the second city of the country, a demonstration of health workers was targeted by the army, forcing the protesters to take refuge in a nearby mosque.
"
They were shooting everywhere ... They were targeting the mosque building because people inside were hiding the demonstrators,
" a witness said on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
A 30-year-old man living near the mosque was killed and two others were injured, said a doctor who treated the injured.
"
The man who died was shot in the back,
" he added.
According to a doctor who participated in the demonstration, six nurses and doctors were also arrested.
“
We also lost contact with some members of the medical team,
” he said.
The personnel of the medical sector are among the most invested in the movement of civil disobedience.
For weeks, they have refused to return to work with a ruling junta and many hospitals are understaffed to deal with the coronavirus epidemic.
Civil servants and employees from other sectors followed suit, shutting down activities in banks, schools, railways ... The junta is trying to force people to return to work.
At least 20 doctors participating in the protest movement will be prosecuted for attempts to "
deteriorate peace and stability
",
according to state media on Thursday
.
Read also: Burma: the UN fears a generalized conflict, New year of resistance for opponents
In the town of Monywa (center), a leader of the movement was arrested on Thursday.
While he had taken the lead, on a motorcycle, of a demonstration, a car hit him.
“
Wai Moe Naing was arrested.
From a distance I saw his motorcycle hit by the car,
”an activist told AFP, Hein Zaw Win, saying he wanted to“
continue our demonstrations until we win
”.
The crisis in which Burma is plunged has eclipsed the Buddhist New Year, which runs until Friday.
The traditional festivities were canceled and the main arteries of Yangon were deserted on Thursday.
