Dozens killed in deadliest day since myanmar military takeover

Dozens of people have been killed in Myanmar, on the deadliest day since the military takeover.

The deaths were reported as Myanmar's military celebrated the annual Armed Forces Day holiday with a parade in the country's capital, Naypyitaw.

Deaths recorded are thought to be around 100, with many more injured across around 40 locations - according to the United Nations.

Among the dead were four outside a police station in the Dala suburb of Yangon, Myanmar Now reported.

BBC Burmese also reported protester deaths in towns and cities such as Magway, Mogok, Kyaukpadaung and Mayangone.

The death toll makes Saturday (27 March) the deadliest day yet, as between 74 and 90 were recorded as the previous high on March 14. Children and civilians were among those killed.

Figures of deaths are hard to verify, but those collected by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP) are widely seen as a definitive source.

The killings have been condemned by politicians across the world, including British Foreign Minister Dominic Radd, who called the tens of deaths “a new low.”

The European Union's delegation to Myanmar Tweeted: "This 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonour.

"The killing of unarmed civilians, including children, are indefensible acts."

US ambassador Thomas Vajda said :"security forces are murdering unarmed civilians.

“These are not the actions of a professional military or police force, Myanmar's people have spoken clearly, They do not want to live under military rule."

The AAPP has reported 328 deaths since the beginning of February, as authorities forcibly suppress the opposition of the 1 February coup.

The coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and reversed years of progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule.

During his speech to recognise the Armed Forces, Junta chief senior general Min Aung Hlaing referred only to "terrorism which can be harmful to state tranquility and social security", adding that it was unacceptable, but did not not condemn the deaths.

Following the day of violence on Friday, State television MRTV aired an announcement urging young people - who have made up large waves of protesters and casualties - to learn a lesson from those killed during demonstrations about the danger of being shot in the head or back.

The announcement also urged parents to have talks with their children about taking part in the protests, claiming some were treating the deadly protests as a game.

The warning has largely been taken as a threat, warning young people that authorities are shooting to kill - as many casualties have received shot wounds to the head.

The Myanmar junta has blamed demonstrators for the violence, some protesters in Yangon have used bow and arrows - in contrast to the security forces using live ammunition against largely unarmed and peaceful protesters.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, said Saturday's events showed that the military, known in Myanmar as the Tatmadaw, should be prosecuted in international courts of law.

"This is a day of suffering and mourning for the Burmese people, who have paid for the Tatmadaw's arrogance and greed with their lives, time and time again," he said.