Desperate Measures: Hindu Editorial on Killing of Political Prisoners by Myanmar Rulers

bYou hanging of four political prisonersDefying all international appeals, The people of Myanmar have given a clear message To both its critics abroad and domestic resistance that it has no plans for any political settlement. Army (Tatmado), which Seize power through a coup in February 2021Repressive measures have been taken since the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government from power. It arrested around 14,000 political prisoners, of whom more than 11,000 are still in prison. More than 2,000 civilians have been killed and thousands of homes burned, leaving millions homeless. Ms Suu Kyi has been convicted of half a dozen forgery charges in secret trials and sentenced to 11 years in prison. The military has charged him with several other charges that, along with convictions from the general’s kangaroo courts, could effectively land him in prison for the rest of his life. But despite these repressive measures, the public has not been able to establish even a semblance of order. Whereas in the past, pro-democracy activists followed nonviolent methods to protest military rulers, they have now created a violent underground movement and joined hands with the country’s ethnic rebels, who have been fighting the junta for decades. This has resulted in significant losses for the army, which is witnessing more ambushes and sniper attacks. The hanging of political prisoners, among them a former legislator, is an act of desperation by a system that is increasingly being encroached upon.

Myanmar saw a rare period of stability and economic growth when Suu Kyi was running the government. The military agreed to an experiment of quasi-democracy when it found the status quo to be unstable. But this experiment lasted only 10 years as the military was threatened by Ms. Suu Kyi’s growing popularity. By coup, it not only sought to end the democratic experiment, but also sought to remove potential threats to the military’s hold on power. But everything didn’t go according to plan. The generals may have seized power, but they now preside over a separate Myanmar. According to the World Bank, the country’s economy is in a free fall – it contracted 18% last year and GDP this year is expected to shrink 13% compared to 2019. The regime is facing armed resistance in rural areas and civil resistance in cities. The National Unity Government, an alternative administration formed by the Resistance, says the junta, which lacks international recognition, has lost half of the country to rebels. With the execution of political prisoners, the Tatmadaw, one of the most persistent enemies of human freedom and dignity, have sought to instill fear among the masses and crush their spirits. But in trying to do so it has produced four martyrs for the resistance. Its strategy is neither helping the power-hungry generals nor the people of Myanmar.