Myanmar activists call for "silent strike" on coup anniversary

Naypyidaw: Myanmar's military government has cracked down on activists urging people to close shops and sit indoor son the anniversary of the February coup that overthrow NLD leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi's government last year, Reuters reported.

Citizen's formed military groups in the chaos since to fight back against the military regime after soldiers ruthlessly crushed protests at the overthrow of Suu Kyi, who has been charged with dozens of crimes and faces up to 150 years in prison. An estimated 1500 people were killed in the protests and over 11,000 people arrested in the time since.

State media reported military ruler Min Aung Hlaing had on Monday extended a state of emergency for six months to facilitate promised elections.

"It was necessary to set the right track for the genuine, disciplined multi-party democracy," Min Aung Hlaing said in a report in the Global New Light of Myanmar, where he talked about the threat from "internal and external saboteurs" and "terrorist attacks and destruction."

In the northern city of Myitkyina, a photograph of a sign put up by the military warned residents not to join the silent protest or face jail terms of up to 20 years, though images of the city posted on social media on Tuesday showed largely deserted streets. In Yangon, protestors thre red paint on the ground to symbolise post-coup violence.

At least four people were arrested in the central town of Pathein for inciting silent protests on social media, the Ayarwaddy Times reported.

The United States, Canada and Britain have imposed frsh sanctions on the military leadership and associated cadre in Myanmar in Monday. They urged the international community to cease the flow of "arms, materiel, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance" to the Myanmar military.

An internationally backed diplomatic effort led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has faltered, with the junta's failure to honour its commitment to end hostilities and support dialogue frustrating members, including Singapore. The Myanmar military junta has accused the UN and associated bodies of bias against the country and has withdrawn from most negotiations.