Rangoon, Burma.
– Don’t shoot the kids! Sister Ann Rose Nu Twang se kneel down, expands arms crossed he beggeds Burmese forces. In vain, on the same day, March 8, three pro-democracy protesters they were shot down.
It is not known for sure where shots, but the police and army they did not hesitate to use live ammunition since peaceful insurrection against him coup which overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, February 1st.
On this March 8, several hundred people, especially members of Kachin ethnic group, take the streets of Mytkyina (north), the usual scene of demonstrations from the coup. Among the protesters can be seen many Burmese willing to commemorate andl International Women’s Day.
But late at night, the atmosphere it degrades.
Police and army emits tear gas and stun grenades to try to disperse the crowd, which retaliated by firing missiles. In the distance, more detonations.
Protesters cover up after a few barricades erected at in a hurry with veneer, wood paneling and bricks.
In the crowd, wearing a white habit, nun Ann Rose Nu Twang, 45 years old, it’s getting close security forces.
Sand kneels Yes two cops do the same, shaking hands in respect for the nun. Others, on the other hand, remain indifferent, according to images released by a local store, Myitkyina News Journal.
“It simply came to our notice then they will not shoot […], which instead of he will kill me. I raised my hands inside sign of forgiveness“, He tells the AFP nun.
“I was not afraid”
But not far from there, another group of police officers Start to shoot, remember.
Some images released by social media show real estate protesters and Covered in blood. There is one lying on the ground, face down, with his head half broken.
“It was a moment of panic. I was in the middle and I couldn’t do anything, “he explains, although he qualifies: “I was not afraid.”
Other two nuns They come to support her. “Stop, I am torturing and killing people. That’s why people are furious and it manifests itself ”, launches one of them.
Three protesters die. On Tuesday, one of the victims, Zin Min Htet, was buried and a large crowd came to pay their last respects, gathering around his coffin, covered with flowers and saluting three fingers, a symbol of resistance.
The act of bravery of Ann Rose Nu Twang has been widely distributed on the country’s social networks, mainly Buddhist.
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On February 28, the nun had already distinguished herselfI get on my knees in front of himcome to the security forces to ask them caution.
At least 60 civilians lost life since the coup and more than 1,800 were detained, according to the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners.
The state media denies any involvement of the police or the army in the deaths of civilians and ensures that the security forces must “contain the disturbances dictated by law.”