The almost three-week protests show no signs of weakening.
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On February 1, the army overthrew the government of leader Do Aung San Suu Kyi and prevented the assembly of the parliament elected in last November’s elections. Tens of thousands of people have been taking part in the demonstrations since then. The protesters do not believe the promises of military officials that they will hold new elections and hand over power to the winner.
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On Saturday, police fired rubber and sharp ammunition at striking workers in shipyards in Mandalay’s second-largest city, using tear gas against them. According to Reuters, which refers to the local rescue service, the man who was hit in the head by a bullet died. Several other people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
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A young woman died in Burma on Friday, who was shot dead by police during a demonstration against a military coup in the capital, Neipyijt, last week. It was the first confirmed victim to lose her life in the current protests. Her death was condemned by the United States, which also called on the Burmese military to stop using violence against the protesters and to relinquish power.
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According to the army, one police officer also died from injuries sustained during the protests.
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Demonstrations also took place on Saturday in Neipryit and in the largest city of Rangoon, where, according to the AP agency, a thousand people took to the streets. They carried portraits of the deceased demonstrators and banners with the words “The end of the dictatorship in Burma”.
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Military junta officials say the November parliamentary elections, which resulted in a landslide victory for leader Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, were accompanied by fraud. The results of the vote were confirmed by the election commission, which has now been replaced by the army. The junta says it will hold new elections during the year.
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