At least 39 people killed in Myanmar protests

In the most violent day of the protest since it began more than 6 weeks back in Myanmar, more than 39 people were killed on Sunday. The security forces killed 22 anti-government protesters in the Hlaingtharyar suburb of Yangon. 16 more protestors were killed in other places of Myanmar, reports Reuters quoting the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). A policeman was also killed in the protests.

Two Chinese funded factories were also burnt on Sunday. After the factory was set on fire in the industrial area of Yangon, security forces opened fire on protesters in the suburb which is home to migrants from across the country.

The state media announced that martial law has been imposed in Hlaingtharyar and another district of Yangon in the wake of arson and



violence.

Anti-Chinese sentiment has been rising in Myanmar since the protests began in response to the perceived support of China to the military government in the country. The Facebook page of the Chinese embassy in Myanmar had a huge number of negative comments in response to its posting of the news about arson.

The Chinese embassy in Myanmar said in a statement that some Chinese business factories in Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone in Yangon, were destroyed in arson. It said many Chinese employees were injured and trapped. The embassy released a security warning to the Chinese businesses and staff in Myanmar. It called upon the government of Myanmar to punish the culprits and ensure the safety of its people and business in the country.