MANDALAY, KOMPAS.com – A seven -year -old girl shot dead by the security apparatus in Myanmar. He became the youngest known victim in the crackdown on protesters following a military coup last month, according to local residents.
The child’s identity is known as Khin Myo Chit. His family told BBC that Khin was killed by police while running towards his father amid a raid on their home in the city of Mandalay.
Myanmar has been hit by a wave of protests since the military seized power on February 1.
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Rights group Save the Children says more than 20 children are among the dozens who have died.
In total, the military said 164 people had died in the protests, while the activist group Association for Assistance for Political Prisoners (AAPP) put the death toll at least 261.
Earlier, the military on Tuesday (23/3/2021) expressed grief over the deaths of the protesters, but blamed them for creating anarchy in the country.
But security forces have used firearms against protesters, and there have been a number of eyewitness reports of people being beaten and some being shot as the military carried out house raids to arrest activists and protesters.
“Then they shot him”
Khin Myo Chit’s sister told BBC that the police were searching all the houses in their neighborhood in Mandalay on Tuesday (23/3/2021) afternoon. The police finally entered their home to look for weapons and made arrests.
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“They kicked the door to open it,” said May Thu Sumaya, 25. “When the door opened, they asked my father, was there anyone else in the house?”
When she said no, they accused her of lying and started ransacking the house, May said.
It was then that Khin Myo Chit ran over to their father to sit on his lap. “Then they shot and hit him,” said May Thu Sumaya.
In separate interviews with community media Myanmar Muslim Media, their father, U Maung Ko Hashin Bai, explained his daughter’s last words. “She said, ‘I can’t, Daddy, it hurts too much.'”
She said her daughter died half an hour later when she was rushed by car seeking medical care. The police also beat and arrested his 19 year old son.
The military has not commented on the reports.
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In a press statement, Save the Children said they were “horrified” by the girl’s death, which came a day after a 14-year-old boy was reportedly shot dead in Mandalay.
“The deaths of these children are very concerning, considering they were reportedly killed while at home, where they should be safe from harm.
“The fact that so many children are killed on an almost daily basis now represents a complete disregard for human life by the security forces,” the organization said.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, authorities released about 600 prisoners held in a prison in Yangon, many of them students. The AAPP says at least 2,000 people have been arrested in the crackdown so far.
The protesters have planned a silent strike in which many businesses are closed and people are staying at home. There are also plans to host more events to commemorate and light candles at night, both in Yangon and elsewhere.
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