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Myanmar protests: Police use rubber bullets, water cannons

By Jean Lotus
Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar, demonstrate on Monday in opposition of the military takeover a week ago that seized power and arrested many leaders, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo by Xiao Long/ UPI
Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar, demonstrate on Monday in opposition of the military takeover a week ago that seized power and arrested many leaders, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo by Xiao Long/ UPI | License Photo

Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Police and military forces cracked down on civil protests in Myanmar on Tuesday, using water cannons and rubber bullets on demonstrators that seriously injured at least two.

Activists demonstrating against the military coup that occurred last week were injured in the capital Naypyidaw on a third day of youth-led street protests that drew thousands.

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In Mandalay, security forces used tear gas and water cannons on the crowd, witnesses said, and police threatened large crowds in Yangon.

The Myanmar military took control of the government a week ago and implemented a nationwide state of emergency, detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials.

The military seized power after claiming voter fraud in November's parliamentary elections, during which Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy Party won a large majority of seats.

On Tuesday, local administrators barred people from protesting or gathering in groups of five or more and ordered a curfew, according to Myanmar's Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

"We are concerned peaceful protesters will suffer violent action in the future," the group said.

More than 100 people have been arrested in the past week, the group said.

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The military has attempted to stop protests by cutting Internet and phone lines.

Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Monday the military government was "different" than past military regimes in Myanmar, and called the coup "inevitable." He urged protesters to "focus on facts" and not be "carried away by emotions."

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