At least 114 killed in Myanmar in one of bloodiest days of protests

BANGKOK - Myanmar on Saturday (March 27) witnessed the deadliest violence since the Feb 1 coup as junta chief Min Aung Hlaing declared that he would protect the people and safeguard democracy. 

At least 114 people were killed by police and soldiers trying to suppress nationwide demonstrations against the military regime on the highly symbolic Armed Forces Day, according to Myanmar Now news agency on Saturday night.

The toll included 40 deaths in Mandalay and 27 deaths in Yangon, it reported.

In images widely circulated online despite broad Internet restrictions, many people – including children – were seen shot in the head or chest.

“Dear world, we don’t need Nobel or anything. Just protect our young people and children,” tweeted Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement. 

The activist network coordinating work stoppages to thwart the military regime was earlier nominated by Norwegian academics for the Nobel Peace Prize.