Bangkok, Feb 8 Tens of thousands of people have taken part in Myanmar’s nationwide protests against the military coup for the third consecutive day with police using water cannons to disperse the crowds, national media reported on Monday.
Demonstrations broke out on Saturday morning after the Southeast Asian country went into its second nationwide internet shutdown since the military seized power and arrested civilian leaders last week.
According to the Mizzima News outlet, water cannons were used to disperse protesters in the capital of Myanmar, the city of Nay Pyi Taw.
The Irrawaddy portal published photos and videos of mass protests that are also taking place in the country’s largest city of Yangon. The demonstrations are joined by monks and young people.
Myanmar’s military overthrew the democratically elected government last Monday and declared a year-long state of emergency after accusing State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s party of fraud over its recent election victory. The military blocked social media and shut down the internet across the country.
Internet and mobile service provider Telenor confirmed on Saturday that the internet blackout was ordered by the army. NetBlocks, a service tracking internet traffic, said connectivity was at 16 percent of the usual levels.
The blackout was likely aimed at stopping protests that took place in Yangon on Saturday morning.