DVB reports that in Shwegyin, Bago Region, local farmers have been pressed to plant sunflowers in place of the usual crops. The Burmese word for sunflower, နေကြာ (nay kyaar) means “long lasting”, and the ever superstitious regime generals believe they will be auspicious for themselves. Military supporters have been asked to wear sunflower patterns during the Thadingyut celebrations, as seen in several pictures online and on regime television this week.
These generals are so insecure. If fully armed grown up men, with a full army, large bank accounts and powerful friends, are still so irrationally superstitious, it means they have no confidence in themselves (rightfully so, as they are inept).
Given the latest developments, both political and mostly on the ground, they surely feel the pressure. The whole country is rising up, and the international community has taken a stronger stance against the coup. As the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar Christine Shraner Burgener pointed out, neither the military regime, nor the opposing NUG, “has the upper hand and full control over Myanmar’s future”. And the fact that the Burmese generals warned ASEAN to not engage with the NUG, is a sign of weakness rather than strength. And no, sunflowers will not help Min Aung Hlaing.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• NHK World News obtained a report compiled by ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar Erywan Yusof, saying that the military regime warned him against engaging with the National Unity Government, the democratic government that opposes the regime.
• NUG (National Unity Government, the democratic government that opposes the regime) Human Rights Minister Aung Myo Min says that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice has collected evidence of over 400 serious human rights violations committed by the military regime since February 1st (day of the coup). These evidences have been referred to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the International Crime Court (ICC), but will also will used domestically “when people win the Spring Revolution, and the country regains a proper rule of law and a strong judiciary”
• The military regime plans a Covid-19 fund to provide loans to artists of the film an music industry, probably to encourage the military propaganda (Source: DVB)
• Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai had a meeting with international organizations and civil society organizations to discuss ways to deliver aid to Myanmar people throught the Thai-Myanmar border.
• RFA interviews defected Captain Aung Myo Htet of the 66 Light Infantry Division. He says around 30% of soldiers are willing to defect (other officials estimate up to 70% of soldiers), and the morale is low, with many soldiers feeling unsafe and tired after 8-9 months (in Burmese) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIFhIIRE404
YANGON
• Resistance fighters claim an attack at the corner between Botataung Market and Mahabandola roads in which they killed 4 regime forces at a traffic control point
• Sanchaung: 1 regime force killed and 1 injured after an attack by an armed group who posted the video of the attack https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=199219982337202 (Source: Khit Thit Media)
• South Dagon: 2 explosions injured several regime soldiers
• North Dagon: 1 bomb attack
MANDALAY
• Chanmyathazi Township: double explosion
• Explosion at the Myawaddy Bank near the Tamadan military base.
• Madaya: two people killed in an explosion at a checkpoint
SAGAING
• Kabaung Village, Taze: regime soldiers burnt several houses
• Taze: regime soldiers shoot randomly after an attack by Resistance fighters, killing an innocent civilian
• Khin U: 4 people killed by regime soldiers in Inpat village and Bahoe village. The dead body of Chit San Maung (27) was found in a forest. He was abducted during a raid in Inpat.
• Monywa: explosion at a Mytel office
• Ayadaw Township: regime soldiers raided different villages using civilians as human shields
• Myaung: a large coalition of Resistance groups attacked regime forces, killing 15 soldiers.
• Yinmapin: 10 regime soldiers killed by resistance fighters
• Kanbalu: regime soldiers faked a defection, then arrested, tortured and killed 2 youths who tried to help them defect.
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• The Karen National Union (KNU) reports 123 clashes between its armed wing KNLA and regime troops. 58 regime soldiers have been killed
KACHIN STATE
• Putao: Ko Ye Naing (30) died of injuries after being abducted by regime soldiers
CHIN STATE
• Zomi-PDF informs civilians not to travel between Kalay and Chin state from October 25 until further notice as there is highly likely to erupt battle during the next weeks (Source: The Chindwin)
• Matupi: Resistance fighters killed 5 regime soldiers. Regime soldiers destroyed and looted civilian properties
• Falam: 50 military trucks travelling back from Hakha to Falam
KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE
• Demoso: heavy artillery fired by regime soldiers into residential areas
SHAN STATE
• Hsenwi: The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA, aka Kokang) seized weapons from regime troops of the 567 Light Infantry Battalion
• Pekon: Resistance fighters attacked 336 Light Infantry Battalion, killing 5 soldiers
• Namsu, Monekoe: the MNDAA seized a car carrying weapons for regime forces
MAGWAY
• Taungdwingyi township: a military informant killed by Resistance fighters
BAGO
• Pyay: Myo Nyein Zaw arrested during his father’s funeral. He was hiding from the regime since the office of his free funeral service was raided by Junta troops
TANINTHARYI
• Yay Phyu Township: U Kyi Thein, 63, killed by regime soldiers during an interrogation. His body was dropped by a military truck in front of his house.
• Yay Phyu Township: the head of a beheaded man, was removed from the gate of an NLD office, after being left there hanging for one day. A sign under the head claims the killing was carried out by the Dawei Guerrilla Revoultion Force, but the Resistance group denies being involved and accuses the regime of spreading fake news. The picture went viral on Myanmar social media.
MON STATE
• Kyaikto: bomb attack at the Electric Power Enterprise office
COVID DAILY (real numbers are believed to be much higher than officially reported)
• 1067 new cases and 20 new deaths
AAPP Burma update (does not include victims of armed conflicts)
• 1196 (+13) civilians killed since February 1st
• 7016 (-20) still under detention
0 Comments