Huge crowds mourn woman killed in protests
Huge crowds have turned out in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw for the funeral of a young woman killed in protests against a military coup. Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing was shot in the head just before her 20th birthday, the first of at least three people to die in the protests. Thousands lined the streets to honour her, some making the three-fingered salutes used by demonstrators. The military overthrew the elected government earlier this month. Promises to hold early elections have failed to satisfy protesters, who are also seeking the release of the elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party. The military allege the NLD’s landslide election win last year was fraudulent but have not provided proof.
Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing, a supermarket worker, was injured when police tried to disperse protesters earlier this month. She was kept on life support for 10 days but died on Friday. She has become a focal point for demonstrators, with her image often displayed by people resisting the coup. Her coffin was driven through the streets in a black and gold hearse, accompanied by hundreds of motorbikes.(BBC)…[+]