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More than 800 killed by Military since coup, Myanmar activists says

 

More than 800 killed by Military since coup, Myanmar activists says

 More than 800 people have been killed by Myanmar security forces since protests erupted across the country after troops took power in February, a group of activists said.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Nobel Peace Aung San Suu Kyi and imprisoned him along with officials from his National League for Democracy party.

The military has responded to protests by pro-democracy activists in major cities and towns with deadly force, during the outbreak of war between soldiers and ethnic rebels in border areas with newly established troops.

As of Monday, 802 people had been killed during the Junta campaign and their opponents, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

"This is a figure confirmed by the AAPP, the death toll is probably very high," the group said at its daily forum.

It described six additional deaths including cities in the province of Chin State and the metropolitan areas of Mandalay and Yangon.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the casualties and a military spokesman did not return calls for comment.

The junta had earlier opposed the death toll and said scores of security personnel had been killed during protests.

The militant group said 4 120 people had been detained, including 20 who had been sentenced to death.

CITIZENS RUNNIG AWAY


Some of the most intense fighting since the February 1 coup erupted in recent days in Mindat, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Indian border in the province of Chin State as troops fight local forces.

Thousands of residents in a mountain town in northwestern Myanmar were hiding in forests, valleys and valleys on Monday after fleeing a military attack, witnesses said.

Military law was announced in Mindat last week before troops began attacking, using flying weapons and helicopters to fight the Chinland Defense Force. The militants, mostly armed with hunting rifles, said they had retreated to protect civilians from being found in the event of a fire.

Many Reuters residents said food was in short supply and an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people had fled the city. Roads were closed and the presence of soldiers on the roads prevented their return.

"Almost everyone has left the city," said a volunteer fighter who said he was in the woods. "Most of them are hidden."

The United States and Britain have called on the military to avoid casualties and the image of the National Unity Government made up of Suu Kyi's supporters is calling for international assistance.

Johannesburg - The UN General Assembly on Tuesday voted against an unanimous decision to "immediately suspend the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of all weapons and ammunition" in Myanmar, the strategists said.

It is not immediately clear when the vote will be rescheduled. Some strategists say it has been delayed in an effort to gain more support.

The draft resolution calls for Myanmar's military to end the crisis, end all violence against peaceful protesters and respect democracy as reflected in the November election results.

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