New Delhi/Jakarta/Yangon, Mar 20,2021: Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday called for a special ASEAN summit to discuss the Myanmar situation, as harsh crackdowns on anti-coup protesters continue in the member country and reports that security forces shot dead eight protesters in the central town of Aungban during the day.
President Widodo in a statement said he will urge Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah that a leaders’ meeting be held immediately.
Brunei currently chairs the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN foreign ministers held an informal meeting earlier this month to discuss Myanmar and expressed concern about the situation.
Widodo voiced concern over Mynamar security forces’ use of force against the protesters, and called for a stop to the violence and urged all sides to hold talks and seek reconciliation to restore democracy and stability in the country.
Since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup on February 1, toppling the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Indonesia has led efforts within ASEAN to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.
News portal Myanmar Now reported that at least eight anti-coup protesters were killed in Aungban, southern Shan State, during an attack by the military on demonstrations on Friday morning.
Sixteen military trucks carrying more than 100 policemen and soldiers arrived at the protest site and began shooting at protesters. Seven died at the scene, and another protester who had been shot in the neck died in a hospital, the news portal said, quoting Aungban Free Funeral Service Society.
All eight victims were men.
