Military Coup in Myanmar

[ImperialRussia]

China will also be supporting this coup for its military industrial complex and construction projects

[The New California Republic]

BBC article on the shooting of the protester.

[Tranzoria]

China will also be supporting this coup for its military industrial complex and construction projects

China is not supporting the Coup one bit. As a matter of fact, it's opposing it, just for different reasons than the US. Either there was no Foreign Interference or it was Russia and/or ASEAN themselves.

[Kowani]

BBC article on the shooting of the protester.

It is now confirmed that the police deployed sub-machine guns

[Valentine Z]

12th of February marks the Union Day for Burma, which also is known as the Panglong Agreement. There were protests around different embassies - French Embassy, Brunei Embassy, UK Embassy...

So there has been news (I mean, it's been obvious - unsurprising but disappointing and terrifying) that people have been getting dragged out of their homes in the middle of a night. So there's that. If you or your relatives (like mine) are in Burma, please do be careful for the sake of yourself.

Though to be honest, I kindaaaa have nothing much to say (at this point) not because it's sensitive or anything. I think I have said a lot about it, like I hope everyone is fine and there would be no violence.

Alas, the violence thing happened so... I can only hope that it will not happen again, or very infrequently.

It's a shame that the police or the military resorted to this, but I'm also confident that the members in the police and the army, even in my country, are not all bad. Oh sure, a lot of them are a little bonkers, but I believe in the humility in people, if they can eventually find it in their hearts. And that obviously also means stopping genocide.

I know this is getting a little cheesy and idealistic, so yes - I believe in humility. I have also learned from people, especially from people around the internet, that hope and love can still exist despite our differences as large as "we are from a different country", from very different walks of life.

So here's to peace, understanding, and not being nuts. ♥️

[Kowani]

The military's releasing 23,000 prisoners

[Adamede]

The military's releasing 23,000 prisoners

Sow chaos in society that you then put down to legitimize your reign as well as make room for new political prisoners. Win-win

[Kowani]

The military's releasing 23,000 prisoners

See chaos in society that you then put down to legitimize your reign as well as make room for new political prisoners. Win-win

The released prisoners tried to poison the apartment water tanks in several townships during the night, as well as setting houses on fire

they may or may not be flying drones as well

[Valentine Z]

The military's releasing 23,000 prisoners

Oh yeah, that...

So there were videos floating around about these guys getting "interrogated" by the neighbors. I say that with quotation because I can reassure everyone that there was no torture involved. Maybe a bit of subduing and bringing the guy into the house and start asking questions.

There were a lot of lies, a lot of deception, and no straight answers. They were just like "Do whatever." We strongly suspect that they were obviously released from the prison, AND have their families or loved ones threatened if they are not that willing to rat out about the dirty work.

[Diahon]

by "they" and "these guys" getting "interrogated" you mean the ex-prisoners, presumably?

if so, what questions were being raised?

[Valentine Z]

by "they" and "these guys" getting "interrogated" you mean the ex-prisoners, presumably?

if so, what questions were being raised?

Yup, the normal citizens and residents interrogating the ex-prisoners that got released to do damage and chaos.

The typical, like:
- How many people were with you?
- Who sent you? (as in, it's obviously the military, but like names, in particular?)
- What were you asked to do, i.e. your exact orders and words given?

Of course, as far as I know, they fudged those responses a lot, either because they are pro-military, or very possibly that they have their lives and their loved ones' lives threatened, given how the military has also started kidnapping people randomly at night.

I can't believe I am saying this, but that Half Life 2's random quote is suddenly becoming more apt.

"They don't have the permit/excuse to search our block." (paraphrased)
"Don't worry, they'll find one."

[Diahon]

was this the rationale for releasing prisoners becoming a yearly practice? have a populations of ostracized outlaws at the military's beck and call? or just an annual cleaning, the better to take in more people to brutalize?

[Valentine Z]

was this the rationale for releasing prisoners becoming a yearly practice? have a populations of ostracized outlaws at the military's beck and call? or just an annual cleaning, the better to take in more people to brutalize?

As far as I know, this is not a yearly thing. Hell, this is not even a thing at all! See below for an updated answer and correction.

It just so happens that desperate times (for the military too) lead to these unbecoming acts. Oh, I am not justifying that they are desperate; rather, they would do anything to save themselves and sow chaos, so there is that.

[Kowani]

Myanmar’s junta suspends laws constraining security forces from detaining suspects or searching private property without court approval, as well as ordering the arrest of well-known backers of mass protests against this month’s coup

[Diahon]

Myanmar’s junta suspends laws constraining security forces from detaining suspects or searching private property without court approval, as well as ordering the arrest of well-known backers of mass protests against this month’s coup

if the junta wants people dead everywhere, better die fighting these fucks than die brutalized and defenseless

[Valentine Z]

Needless to say, it's getting very, very lawless for the people they like, and totalitarian for those those they don't like.

Alas.

[Diahon]

Needless to say, it's getting very, very lawless for the people they like, and totalitarian for those those they don't like.

Alas.

i know i've asked this before, but is your family safe where they are, at least? surviving one 1988 is no guarantee of escaping the bloodbath of another

[Valentine Z]

Needless to say, it's getting very, very lawless for the people they like, and totalitarian for those those they don't like.

Alas.

i know i've asked this before, but is your family safe where they are, at least? surviving one 1988 is no guarantee of escaping the bloodbath of another

I would say they know their way around, most of the older generations (at least ones born around 1970 latest) are. There was... I don't want to make it too detailed, so 1988 was super fucking awful, for the lack of a better word. Three words: Heads on pikes. I definitely should not add more details but yeah, it was super awful.

As for your question, sorry I went off tangent. I can say with 90% certainty that my family and relatives back home are still safe. Of course, what you said is right too, I am not denying that. All we can do is hope for the best, even if that hope is sorta dwindling for the time being.

Addendum: There's also plans that were unveiled - ex-con being asked to poison the water supply of houses and all that. Basically, sow chaos. It's not just accusations - freaking bottles of poison found, and people getting hospitalised because they drank poisoned water.

Addendum 2: MRTV and MWD are... not the most reliable sources for Burmese news. I recommend Irrawaddy or Reuters, or just anything else other than those two.

[Valentine Z]

So as it was told around the internet, the junta ordered the internet providers to cut connections across the entire country for quite a duration. And of course, during that time, people (especially government workers and civil servants) are going to be dragged out of their home just so that they can be forced to work.

“Late night raids; mounting arrests; more rights stripped away; another Internet shutdown; military convoys entering communities. These are signs of desperation.”

And of course, the big vehicles being deployed.

There are news (no longer rumors) also being spread around to make damn sure that you know what you are eating or drinking and not to accept it from roadsides anymore, because 9 out of 10 of these feebies are now spiked with potent poison by the aforementioned ex-prisoners (and those that are getting rewarded, I think).

Also I stand corrected on what Diahon told me. Releasing prisoners is an annual thing, so I was wrong on that, I do apologize on missing that info. But this is probably the first time after so long that they were using ex-prisoners against us.

[Kowani]

The penalty for “obstructing the armed forces” has been upped to 20 years in prison, with inciting “hatred and contempt” towards the coup leaders is also a crime.

[Omniabstracta]

Some massive general strikes growing throughout the country, especially amongst civil servants and government affiliated workers, like those in energy. It seems calculated to hurt the generals specifically, as most of those striking are responsible for tax and revenue collection, and its occurring alongside boycotts of the military owned enterprises that they profit from.

[Valrifell]

Some massive general strikes growing throughout the country, especially amongst civil servants and government affiliated workers, like those in energy. It seems calculated to hurt the generals specifically, as most of those striking are responsible for tax and revenue collection, and its occurring alongside boycotts of the military owned enterprises that they profit from.

This is good news, hopefully the pressure keeps up.

[Valentine Z]

One thing I can sorta praise about is that it's not as bad as 1988, whilst still mourning the death of a few recently. Of course, it would be far better if this does not happen at all, but to play Devil's Advocate in the worst possible way, they would have started shooting so very badly had this not happen during the Internet Era (again, in 1988). So far, none of my friends and families (that I know of) ended up dead, so that is something to look forward to. But I really do feel for those who were hospitalized after being poisoned, or injuries through chaos and violence.

So... kudos for at least being not that trigger happy? A very weak positive and silver lining, but one nonetheless.

-----

And we got a piece of news from MRTV broadcasting and citing: "40 Million of Civilians who love Tatmadaw", which would perhaps confirm the fact that the support for NLD is not homogeneous. As for my opinion? A democracy can be fixed and looked into its flaws; a dictatorship/junta will not.

[Heloin]

And we got a piece of news from MRTV broadcasting and citing: "40 Million of Civilians who love Tatmadaw", which would perhaps confirm the fact that the support for NLD is not homogeneous. As for my opinion? A democracy can be fixed and looked into its flaws; a dictatorship/junta will not.

Burma is a country of 53 million, and a supermajority voted for the NLD in the 2020 election. I suspect that 40 million civilians who love the Tatmadaw is a lie.

[Valentine Z]

And we got a piece of news from MRTV broadcasting and citing: "40 Million of Civilians who love Tatmadaw", which would perhaps confirm the fact that the support for NLD is not homogeneous. As for my opinion? A democracy can be fixed and looked into its flaws; a dictatorship/junta will not.

Burma is a country of 53 million, and a supermajority voted for the NLD in the 2020 election. I suspect that 40 million civilians who love the Tatmadaw is a lie.

Oh yeah, MWD and MRTV do be getting a lot of flack for this, so there is that.

Maybeeee 4 million (I am aware there are those who supported), but guess they can't help it to add an extra zero!