More than 80 protesters killed in Myanmar

Myanmar authorities on Friday killed more than 80 demonstrators who were protesting the military coup that occurred on Feb. 1.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners recorded that more than 80 people were killed after Myanmar security forces used rifle grenades and fired at protesters, Reuters reported.

The killings in a town near Yangon add to the total of over 600 protesters who have been killed by Myanmar’s military since the coup.

“It is like genocide,” a protest organizer named Ye Htut told a local Myanmar news outlet. “They are shooting at every shadow.”

There have also been 44 children killed during these protests.

Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun denies that 600 protesters have been killed and says the military has not killed any children.

Ethnic armies are fighting back against the military and killed 10 policemen in an attack on a police station on Saturday, according to Reuters.

The military claims 16 police officers have died and only 248 protesters have been killed. 

Zin Mar Aung, the acting foreign minister for the lawmakers that were ousted by the military, told the United Nations Security Council at an informal meeting that they have to apply direct and indirect pressure on Myanmar’s military.

“Our people are ready to pay any cost to get back their rights and freedom,” she said. 

The military has said they will host free and fair elections in two years but did not give an exact date.