Rangoon, Burma.
“Don’t shoot the kids!” Sister Ann Rose Nu Twang is kneels, Extends the arms crossed and begs thes Burmese forces. In vain, that same day, March 8, 3:00 prodemocracy protesters they were shot down.
It is not known for sure where they came from shots, but the police and the army they have not hesitated to use it real ammunition since the peaceful insurrection against the coup which overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, on February 1st.
This March 8, several hundred people, mostly members of the Kachin ethnic group, take the streets of Mytkyina (north), the usual setting of manifestations from the blow. Among the protesters is seen at numerous Burmese willing to commemorate il International Women’s Day.
But late in the morning, the atmosphere is degrades.
The police and the army they release tear gas and stun grenades to try to disperse the crowd, which he retorts by throwing projectiles. In the distance, several are heard detonations.
Protesters protect themselves after a few barricades raised a hurry with veneers, wood panels and bricks.
Among the crowd, wearing a white habit, the nun Ann Rose Nu Twang, 45 years old, Is approaching security forces.
Sand kneels i two cops do the same, Clasping his hands in a sign of respect for the nun. Others, on the other hand, remain indifferent, according to local media reports, the Myitkyina News Journal.
“It simply came to our notice then do not shoot […], Which instead of that would kill me. I raised my hands in sign of forgiveness“, Explains the nun to AFP.
“I wasn’t afraid”
But, not far from there, another group of police begins to shoot, remember.
Images released on social media show protesters motionless and covered in blood. There is one lying on the ground, upside down, with the head half uprooted.
“It was a moment of panic. I was in the middle and I couldn’t do anything, “he explains, although he clarifies: “I wasn’t afraid.”
others two nuns they arrive to support her. “Parin, they are torturing and killing people. That’s why people are angry and it manifests itself, ”launches one of them.
Three protesters die. On Tuesday, one of the victims, Zin Min Htet, was buried and a large crowd came to pay their last respects, gathering around his coffin, covered in flowers, and greeting the three fingers, symbol of resistance.
The act of courage of Ann Rose Nu Twang it was widely shared on country social media, mostly Buddhist.
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On February 28, the nun had already distinguished herself inl get on your knees in frontand the security forces to request them prudence.
At least 60 civilians have lost the life from the blow and more than 1,800 have been arrested, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners.
State media deny any involvement of the police or army in the deaths of civilians, and say security forces must “contain the riots as required by law.”