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Police fire tear gas at protesters in Myanmar

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Published : Feb 28, 2021, 3:22 PM IST

Updated : Feb 28, 2021, 5:34 PM IST

Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Dawei. Tens of thousands of people have been marching through the city on a daily basis for weeks against the military takeover.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Myanmar
Police fire tear gas at protesters in Myanmar

Dawei: Myanmar security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Dawei on Saturday amid continued resistance to the military takeover.

At least six people were injured, medics said.

Video from local online media group Dakkhina Insight showed the start of the barrage.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Myanmar

Read: Myanmar deploys snipers against protesters

A police officer was seen throwing a canister of tear gas that bounced off power lines and exploded on the roadside nearby, before others then fire repeated rounds from tear gas guns.

At the same time, several police appeared to fire rubber bullets.

There were no reports of live rounds being used.

Read: Myanmar sacks its UN envoy after anti-coup speech

Tens of thousands of people have been marching through the city on a daily basis for weeks, unchallenged by security forces, but on Saturday police changed their tactics and blocked off their usual meeting point.

When the protestors switched location they were intercepted and the dispersal began.

Though a small city, Dawei has strategic importance.

Read: Scores arrested as Myanmar police disperse anti-coup rally

It is close to southern Myanmar's Indian Ocean coast and is at the centre of an ambitious but troubled attempt to develop a deep sea port and special economic zone.

The mega-project has faced funding problems as well as deep-rooted local opposition to its environmental impact.

AP

Dawei: Myanmar security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Dawei on Saturday amid continued resistance to the military takeover.

At least six people were injured, medics said.

Video from local online media group Dakkhina Insight showed the start of the barrage.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Myanmar

Read: Myanmar deploys snipers against protesters

A police officer was seen throwing a canister of tear gas that bounced off power lines and exploded on the roadside nearby, before others then fire repeated rounds from tear gas guns.

At the same time, several police appeared to fire rubber bullets.

There were no reports of live rounds being used.

Read: Myanmar sacks its UN envoy after anti-coup speech

Tens of thousands of people have been marching through the city on a daily basis for weeks, unchallenged by security forces, but on Saturday police changed their tactics and blocked off their usual meeting point.

When the protestors switched location they were intercepted and the dispersal began.

Though a small city, Dawei has strategic importance.

Read: Scores arrested as Myanmar police disperse anti-coup rally

It is close to southern Myanmar's Indian Ocean coast and is at the centre of an ambitious but troubled attempt to develop a deep sea port and special economic zone.

The mega-project has faced funding problems as well as deep-rooted local opposition to its environmental impact.

AP

Last Updated : Feb 28, 2021, 5:34 PM IST
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