Warning shots fired in Myanmar as angry protesters, police clash

The police in Myanmar fired warning shots at angry protesters in the capital Naypyitaw to disperse demonstrations against the ruling military, amid nationwide outrage after last week’s coup.

Reports say demonstrators responded with projectiles on Monday after police initially used water cannon and tried to push a large crowd back, with footage on social media showing people running, with the sound of several gunshots in the distance.

“They fired warning shots to the sky two times, then they fired [at protesters] with rubber bullets,” a resident said, adding he saw some people injured.

READ ALSO: Myanmar military blocks Facebook, social media, accuse people of using platforms to create ‘instability’

This came days after the military in Myanmar have affected the arrest of Win Htein, 79, a trusted aide to overthrown leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was arrested on Friday, days after a coup that sparked outrage across the world.

In a brief interview with Reuters news agency, Win who personally confirmed his arrest said that he was being taken by police officers in a car from Yangon to the capital, Naypyidaw.

He however did not say what charges he could face.

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