NP News - Feb 1

Towns and cities including Yangon conduct pro-military and honoring marches for the #National_Defence_and_Security_Council meeting on one hand and silent strike today on #February_1, 2023.

The pro-military, nationalists and monks joined the honoring march for the NDSC and 2nd Anniversary of the constituted coup supporting the Tatmadaw, especially in front of the Yangon City Hall today afternoon. Other townships in Yangon also mark the celebration.

The column marched from Thamada Cinema to the City Hall in Yangon, yelling ‘We congratulate the State Administration Council for turning two years; Protect Buddhist monks; Support the upcoming election.’

The column also highlighted that Buddhism in Myanmar is now threatened; Buddhist monks are subjected to terror plots; and ongoing arbitrary killing against civilians and civil staff from different sectors by the terrorist PDF.

On the edge of the spectrum, the opposite group conducted a #silent_strike.

This morning, until 10 am, roads were busy as people were moving and cars were running as usual. From 11 am onwards, fewer people and vehicles were moving than usual. However, stores and shops opened as usual.

It doesn’t mean people are engaging in the silent strike willingly but they don’t want to get argued with or don’t want to be subjected by the pro-NUG/CRPH group. Taking part in the silent protest doesn’t worth much to pay. But, if the pro-NUG/CRPH group persuades average people to join in the marching protest against the NDSC or government, that will be a different story.

A private school teacher said, with regard to being involved in the silent strike, “We were confused whether we opened school or not on February 1 because they announced that there will be a silent strike. It is confusing what if we did not involve in the silent strike and opened the school as usual? We were just afraid to be targeted by some people if we don’t engage in it. That’s why we decided to close the school one day.”