Yangon: The score of the pro-democracy Buddha monk took to the streets of Myanmar’s second largest Saturday, a rally against the military coup in a demonstration that coincided with the 14-year anniversary of the mass protest led by the previous pastors.
Myanmar has been in chaos and economy paralyzed since February when the military overthrew the Aung San Suu Kyi civilian government, which ended the ten-year experiment with democracy.
Throughout the country, anti-junta resistance has rooted, encouraging the military to release brutal harsh acts of dissent.
More than 1,100 civilians have been killed and 8,400 were arrested, according to local monitoring groups.
Historically, monks in Myanmar who are dominated by Buddhists have been seen as the highest moral authority, organizing the community and sometimes mobilizing the opposition to the military regime.
But the coup has exposed divisions in the Baktik, with some prominent scholars giving them generals blessings and others support the protesters.
On Saturday, dozens of monks in the orange robe they were lined up through the streets of Mandalay with flags and banners and throwing colorful ribbons in the air.
“The monk who likes the truth stands on the people’s side,” said a protest leader to AFP.
Bhikkhu shouted for the release of political prisoners including members of the political party Aung San Suu Kyi, who won landslides in the election last November.
Some monks reverse almsms bowls – are usually used to collect food contributions from the community – in the symbol of protests to reject the Junta regime, which calls itself the State Administration Board.
“We have to take risks …
to protest because we can be captured or shot at any time.
We are not safe to live in our monasteries again,” said a 35-year-old monk told AFP.
In 2007, Buddhist monks led national demonstrations nationally against the previous military junta regime – rebellion which began after a sudden increase in fuel prices.
“Saffron Revolution” caused a severe legitimacy crisis for a 35-year-old dictatorship, who responded with brutal oppression which killed at least 31 people and saw hundreds of monks confusing and arrested.