Silent strikers arrested: reports

By DMG 02 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
2 February 2022, Sittwe 

Several arrests have been reported in the aftermath of a “silent strike” protest against Myanmar’s military regime, which was observed by millions of people on February 1, the one-year anniversary of the coup that toppled the country’s elected government. 

Shopkeepers in Mawlamyine, Mon State, and Ye-U in Sagaing Region were arrested for participating in the silent strike, according to local sources. 

Some youths in Mawlamyine — shopkeepers among them — were detained on Tuesday, but were released the following day after they signed a pledge stating that they would not join future protests, a resident of the Mon State capital told DMG. 

“The shops were open but there were no customers on silent strike day. Some youths and shopkeepers were warned and forced to sign a pledge by the police. The detainees were released on bail,” he added. 

On February 2, members of the military regime reportedly arrested three shop owners in Ye-U, Sagaing Region, for allegedly taking part in the silent strike the day prior. The whereabouts of the detainees are still unknown, said a family member of one of the detainees. 

“I had heard he was arrested by traffic police during a surprise check on motorbikes. We are worried about his safety because we don’t know where he’s been detained,” the family member added. 

The Irrawaddy news outlet reported that more than 100 people nationwide were arrested for anti-regime reasons over the past week, including due to silent strike involvement.  

Ahead of Tuesday’s protest strike, members of the junta distributed leaflets warning people in some Arakan State townships to refrain from participating in such activities.  

The leaflets threatened that those involved in anti-coup activities would be prosecuted under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, and Sections 124(a) and 505 of the Penal Code.