The latest violence in Myanmar took the number killed in the suppression of protests since the 1 February coup to more than 400.
News reports and witnesses said Myanmar security forces killed 114 people, including some children, on Armed Forces Day – the bloodiest day of its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters since last month’s military coup.
U.S. Ambassador Thomas Vajda said on social media: “This bloodshed is horrifying,” adding “Myanmar’s people have spoken clearly: they do not want to live under military rule”.
“They are killing us like birds or chickens, even in our homes,” resident Thu Ya Zaw told Reuters news agency in the central town of Myingyan.
“We will keep protesting regardless.”the local people said .State TV aired an announcement the previous evening saying people “should learn from the tragedy of earlier ugly deaths that you can be in danger of getting shot to the head and back”.
Security forces were out in strength trying to prevent rallies.
Images shared on social media showed people with gunshot wounds and families mourning.
The lethal crackdown came as protesters defied warnings and took to the streets on the annual Armed Forces Day.
