Protests intensify in Myanmar four months after military takeover

Four months since Myanmar's military seized control, a rebellious situation persists between the army and anti-junta militias in the border regions. Myanmar, on Tuesday, witnessed pro-democracy protests flooding the streets in several districts.

Several international bodies, including the UN, had condemned the violence let loose by the military junta on the demonstrators in favour of democracy. Daily protests have been taking place since the ousting of the civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi led democratically elected government on February 1.

The military retorted with a fierce clampdown that has left hundreds of civilians dead, with the death toll continuing to rise. The death toll is currently over 840, as stats by an activist group show. Local media showed several districts, including Kamayut, Launglon, Demoso, staging protests by anti-military marchers.

Thousands had to flee as ethnic militias allied with a shadow civilian government and retaliated by firing with heavy weapons and airstrikes. "The sound of artillery is deafening us," a resident told Reuters on Monday, with some residents in Loikaw, capital of Myanmar's Kayah State, adding that about 50 rounds had been fired on Monday and six on Tuesday morning. According to the United Nations, the internal strife in Kayah has displaced about 37,000 people in recent weeks. Many have fled into jungles and need food and medicine.

However, neither ethnic militias nor the junta showed a willingness to compromise.

During a session of the Security Council last month, the UN special envoy for the country warned that Myanmar would face a serious civil war if the current state goes on. However, Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing claims that the death toll is near 300 and added that it is 'unlikely' for a civil war to occur in Myanmar.