JAKARTA - Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, a 20-year-old student, was shot in the head while participating in a demonstration against the Myanmar Military Junta coup last Tuesday.
Not much can be done, considering his condition was shot by a live bullet and still lodged in his skull. The attending doctor provided life support tools, but had little chance of recovery and brain death.
"The bullet that hit her was a live bullet, not a rubber bullet. She was brain dead. The bullet that was lodged in her head was still there, it could not be removed", said a doctor from the medical team in Naypyitaw who asked not to be named to The Irrawaddy.
The Myanmar military reportedly requested that Ma Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing be transferred to their facility, but doctors at Naypyitaw hospital refused, and take the patient in their care.
The following is witnessed by Mya Thwet Thwet Khine's brother, Mya Thadoe Nwe, launching The Irrawaddy:
Media (M): Can you explain yesterday's incident (the shooting)?
Mya Thadoe Nwe (MTN): Police and fire department moved forward, and ordered protesters to step back. We witnessed protests on the street. As police retreated behind the lines, protesters threw stones and water bottles at them. As you can see in the online videos, we go into hiding for fear of being shot. We heard gunshots, but we thought they were just shooting in the air.
When we were leaving, (my sister) was shot. I thought she just fainted with anger. She said she felt dizzy. After removing her helmet, blood came out, I knew that she had been shot. Then people came to help and took her to the hospital. I was so worried that I didn't even know how I got here (hospital).
M: How is the condition now?
MTN: She only has a 5 percent chance of recovering.
M: How did your family feel about this incident?
MTN: Our hearts are broken. We only have our mother. Our father is dead. We have four siblings. I am the oldest and she is the youngest. My mother could not stand what happened to her youngest daughter. Words cannot express how sad we are at the moment.
M: What do you want to say to other people who take to the streets?
MTN: We are fighting against a military dictatorship, not for the interests of individuals or parties. I want people to know that military dictatorships affect everyone, the whole nation. And I want this message to spread to the world. This is not for individual benefit. Military dictatorships must be eradicated for the sake of future generations.
M: What do you plan to do next?
MTN: I will continue to fight against the military dictatorship. To compensate for the suffering of my younger sister, I want to encourage everyone in this country to continue to fight against the military dictatorship until it is eradicated. Please also make sure the world knows about this. And I also want to encourage the global community to help.
M: What is your view on the military firing of peaceful protesters?
MTN: As you can see in the online videos, my sister and I are not in the middle of the road, and we are not crossing the line. We didn't do anything to them. Just as we were about to leave, my younger sister (was shot) and just fell down.
M: What medical treatment will be given to your sister?
MTN: She was badly injured from surgery.
A video shows that a woman (with red shirt) was shot (9-11 sec) while she's trying to hide from the water cannon in Naypyitaw. Local news says she's now in 'critical condition'. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/xyKVKLnAoH
- Mratt Kyaw Thu (@mrattkthu) February 9, 2021
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