Myanmar security forces shot dead six people taking part in prodemocracy demonstrations on Monday, media and witnesses said, and the military junta imposed martial law in districts of the main city Yangon which gave commanders wide powers to crush dissent.

Supporters of detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi took to the streets again despite the killing of dozens of protesters on Sunday. Marches took place on Monday in Mandalay and in the towns of Myingyan and Aunglan, where police opened fire, witnesses and media reported. The Myanmar Now media outlet reported three people were killed in Myingyan and two in Aunglan, while a journalist in Mandalay said one person was shot dead. The UN said at least 138 peaceful protesters have been killed in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup.

Arson attacks on Sunday against 32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon prompted China’s strongest comments yet on the turmoil gripping its neighbour, where many people see Beijing as supportive of the coup. China’s Global Times newspaper said the factories were “vandalised in vicious attacks” that caused damage worth $37 million and injuries to two Chinese employees. Its embassy urged Myanmar’s generals to stop the violence.

“We wish that Myanmar’s authorities can take further effective measures to guarantee the security of the lives and assets of Chinese companies and personnel,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing. He did not mention the deaths of the protesters. Anti-China sentiment has risen since the coup, fuelled by Beijing’s muted criticism of the takeover. https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=TOIDEL%2F2021%2F03%2F16&entity=ar02800&ts=20210316002402&uq=20210304021049&mode=text