Myanmar Army deserter “has been ordered to shoot protesters without hesitation”

The Mainichi Newspaper reported on the 20th that a testimony from a Myanmar army deserter said that, “I was ordered to fire automatic rifles at the protesters without hesitation if necessary,” as protests continued in Myanmar, where the military had caused a coup.

The soldier, who deserted from a Myanmar army unit and fled to India, responded to Mainichi’s interview by presenting a Myanmar military ID card at a shelter in the middle of this month.

The soldier is said to have been put into suppression of protests twice under the direction of his superiors since the coup in Myanmar last month.

He testified that he was armed with an automatic rifle during the suppression of the protests, and that he was ordered to shoot at the person acting as the leader when the protesters crossed the line drawn in the road ahead of time.

However, the soldier stated that no firing occurred during the suppression operation he was put into.

He was ordered to approach an acquaintance who participates in the coup disobedience movement and was ordered to find out the leader of the movement.

The soldier, whose domestic activities were difficult, left military quarters early this month, moved for four days to reach the Indian border, and crossed the border to escape military surveillance.

He is currently hiding with about 40 policemen who have fled from Myanmar, Mainichi said.

Multiple police officers who responded to Mainichi’s coverage also stated that they, like this soldier, rebelled against orders to obtain information on the disobedience movement and decided to escape.

The soldier said, “Some of the soldiers are beginning to realize that the military is going in the wrong direction,” and said, “We must stop the military runaway as soon as possible.”

According to local authorities in India, there were more than 400 soldiers and police fleeing from Myanmar to India, Mainichi added.

(yunhap news)