Claims Of The Death Toll The Anti-Coup Is Only 258 People, Myanmar Military Regime Accuses Data Of Inflated

JAKARTA - The Political Prisoners Assistance Association (AAPP) stated that they could guarantee that the data on the death toll during the action against the Myanmar military regime's coup was accurate, not inflated.

Accused by the Myanmar military regime of inflating the death toll list, AAPP said it had documented deaths and arrests made by security forces since the February 1 coup.

Data from AAPP said that the death toll from the violence of the Myanmar military regime had reached 726 people. Meanwhile, the military put the death toll between February 1 and April 15 at 258, based on data from the Myanmar Police.

The regime also said, out of a total of 258 people, 247 were killed during the counterattack by regime forces when they were attacked while removing roadblocks. Meanwhile, 11 others died in different circumstances.

The military regime has also denied responsibility for the death of 20-year-old high school student Ma Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, who was hit by a live bullet in Naypyitaw on February 10, when riot police dispersed protesters.

They also denied responsibility for the murder of a 19-year-old girl, Kyal Sin, who was shot in the head during a crackdown on anti-regime protests in Mandalay in March.

The regime said in a state-run newspaper on Tuesday the two girls had died because protesters were shooting at each other.

Regarding the Bago attack, the Myanmar military regime said AAPP recorded 76 deaths on April 9 without detailed information. According to the military, only four protesters were killed and 36 others arrested in Bago.

Meanwhile, the attack on Bago by 250 troops from the Myanmar military regime since 4 am, automatic gunfire and grenade explosives continued to bark, sweeping the night guard team and the Bago defense team, the base of the resistance of military anti-coup protesters.

Local residents said the military regime forces continued to carry out raids and shelling in the area until April 11. There are no ambulances and social organizations that provide free medical assistance and funeral services that can go there, to pick up the dead or provide medical care to the injured.

U San Min, who is in charge of AAPP's documentation and research department, told The Irrawaddy regime forces had destroyed all traces of evidence of the Bago massacre on April 9.

However, AAPP has received personal information about 27 of the 82 killed by junta forces in Bago that day. The AAPP also said that they were still verifying the personal information of the other 55 victims.

According to U San Min, the AAPP documented all deaths caused by regime forces during raids, crackdowns, interrogations and shootings, verifying each case.

"We have compiled a comprehensive list of the death toll. So, the number will never swell. In fact, the number is believed to be higher than the recorded list, because there are many cases (where) we have no information," said U San Min. The Irrawaddy Thursday 22 April.

As of Monday, nearly 740 people had been killed by junta forces during raids, crackdowns, arrests and random shelling. Those killed included anti-regime protesters, members of the NLD party, observers, pedestrians and civilians, the AAPP said.

More than 3,200 people including elected leaders, members of the NLD party, election commissioners, doctors, protesters, journalists, writers, artists and civilians have been detained.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.