The United Nations has for the time being put off the decision on who will represent Afghanistan and Myanmar. As per diplomats, the nine-nations committee responsible for approving nominations met on Wednesday.

The United Nations has for the time being put off the decision on who will represent Afghanistan and Myanmar. As per diplomats, the nine-nations committee responsible for approving nominations met on Wednesday. Several member nations slammed the Taliban and Junta for their repressive actions. The absence of recognition hampers a government’s ability to receive foreign aid. It is also essential for its citizens to travel abroad and much more. Both governments have condemned the move by the UN. Myanmar junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun while speaking to AFP said, "This decision does not reflect the reality on the ground and existence of our country." "We will continue submitting (to the UN) as usual according to diplomatic procedure and the right to representation in accordance with international and local laws," he added. Also read | Taliban should first seek internal legitimacy to receive international recognition: Ex-Afghan president Karzai Recognition by the UN is essential for both countries. Without recognition, the Taliban won’t be able to enter into treaties with other states. Meanwhile, ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the country has been struggling to battle poverty. There is also a threat of a “looming humanitarian crisis” in the country. In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that its engagement with Afghanistan will remain suspended until there is clarity on the recognition of the government led by the Taliban. During a news conference, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice told reporters, "Our engagement with Afghanistan has been suspended until there is clarity within the international community on the recognition of the government". (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban and Myanmar junta denied seats by the UN for the time being

Myanmar's junta cancelled a Southeast Asian conference on Tuesday after its leader was barred from attending, escalating the regime's isolation nine months after a deadly takeover.

The virtual conference marked the start of three days of discussions held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will include US President Joe Biden, as well as Chinese and Russian leaders.

Myanmar was at the top of the agenda at Tuesday's regional leaders' meeting, with the nation mired in upheaval following the military takeover in February and the accompanying violent crackdown on opposition.&nbsp;

Faced with requests to defuse the crisis, ASEAN — which includes Myanmar — has drafted a roadmap aimed at restoring peace, but the junta's adherence to the plan has been questioned.

The group barred junta commander Min Aung Hlaing from this week's meeting after it refused to allow a special envoy meet with deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar's brief trial with democracy was wiped out by the coup, and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is now facing a slew of accusations in a junta court that may land her in prison for decades.&nbsp;

The 76-year-old, who has been a thorn in the side of the generals for years, was scheduled to speak in court for the first time on Tuesday in a closed-door session from which the media was prohibited.

Min Aung Hlaing's absence from the Southeast Asian summit was a first for an organisation that has been chastised for its lack of clout.&nbsp;

The decision was criticised by the junta as a violation of the bloc's non-interference stance in member nations' affairs.

In his stead, a top official from the junta-appointed foreign ministry was invited by the 10-member delegation.

On the eve of the conference, however, the government stated that sending a lower-ranking official would "damage our country's sovereignty and reputation."

A large screen displayed the leaders attending the summit at the start, but where the country's delegate was supposed to be, there was only a blue display with the word "Myanmar" on it.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta cancelled a Southeast Asian conference on Tuesday after its leader was barred from attending, escalating the regime's isolation nine months after a deadly takeover.

Myanmar's junta cancelled a Southeast Asian conference on Tuesday after its leader was barred from attending, escalating the regime's isolation nine months after a deadly takeover. The virtual conference marked the start of three days of discussions held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will include US President Joe Biden, as well as Chinese and Russian leaders. Myanmar was at the top of the agenda at Tuesday's regional leaders' meeting, with the nation mired in upheaval following the military takeover in February and the accompanying violent crackdown on opposition. Faced with requests to defuse the crisis, ASEAN — which includes Myanmar — has drafted a roadmap aimed at restoring peace, but the junta's adherence to the plan has been questioned. The group barred junta commander Min Aung Hlaing from this week's meeting after it refused to allow a special envoy meet with deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar's brief trial with democracy was wiped out by the coup, and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is now facing a slew of accusations in a junta court that may land her in prison for decades. The 76-year-old, who has been a thorn in the side of the generals for years, was scheduled to speak in court for the first time on Tuesday in a closed-door session from which the media was prohibited. Min Aung Hlaing's absence from the Southeast Asian summit was a first for an organisation that has been chastised for its lack of clout. The decision was criticised by the junta as a violation of the bloc's non-interference stance in member nations' affairs. In his stead, a top official from the junta-appointed foreign ministry was invited by the 10-member delegation. On the eve of the conference, however, the government stated that sending a lower-ranking official would "damage our country's sovereignty and reputation." A large screen displayed the leaders attending the summit at the start, but where the country's delegate was supposed to be, there was only a blue display with the word "Myanmar" on it. (With inputs from agencies)

ASEAN summit begins without Myanmar: Junta boycotts in response to the snub

Myanmar's junta on Saturday said that it would not engage in talks with coup dissidents. This includes members of Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government.&nbsp;

The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since a February coup as more than 1,100 people have been killed in a crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

On Friday a spokesman for the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party called on junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to open dialogue with coup opponents. This was done to find a way out of the crisis.

In response, the junta said it "cannot accept... dialogue and negotiation with terrorist armed groups", including a shadow government of lawmakers from Suu Kyi's ousted administration.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-excludes-myanmar-junta-chief-from-attendance-at-summit-421295">Also read |&nbsp;ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit</a>

Recently, the United Nations said that it feared an even greater human rights catastrophe amid reports of thousands of troops massing in the north and west of the country, where soldiers have clashed regularly with local "self-defence forces".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided that a "non-political representative" from Myanmar would be invited for the ASEAN Summit that will take place between October 26 and 28.&nbsp;

This decision has effectively excluded Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from attending the summit. This is a rare rebuke that has come amid concerns over the military government's commitment to defusing the crisis in Myanmar.

The Myanmar junta slammed the decision, accusing ASEAN of breaching the bloc's policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of its member states.

"We can also see the interference from the other (non-ASEAN) countries," junta spokesman brigadier general Zaw Min Tun told the BBC Burmese section.

Myanmar's junta on Saturday said that it would not engage in talks with coup dissidents. This includes members of Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government. The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since a February coup as more than 1,100 people have been killed in a crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

Myanmar's junta on Saturday said that it would not engage in talks with coup dissidents. This includes members of Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government. The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since a February coup as more than 1,100 people have been killed in a crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. On Friday a spokesman for the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party called on junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to open dialogue with coup opponents. This was done to find a way out of the crisis. In response, the junta said it "cannot accept... dialogue and negotiation with terrorist armed groups", including a shadow government of lawmakers from Suu Kyi's ousted administration. Also read | ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta chief from attendance at summit Recently, the United Nations said that it feared an even greater human rights catastrophe amid reports of thousands of troops massing in the north and west of the country, where soldiers have clashed regularly with local "self-defence forces". Meanwhile, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided that a "non-political representative" from Myanmar would be invited for the ASEAN Summit that will take place between October 26 and 28. This decision has effectively excluded Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from attending the summit. This is a rare rebuke that has come amid concerns over the military government's commitment to defusing the crisis in Myanmar. The Myanmar junta slammed the decision, accusing ASEAN of breaching the bloc's policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of its member states. "We can also see the interference from the other (non-ASEAN) countries," junta spokesman brigadier general Zaw Min Tun told the BBC Burmese section.

Myanmar junta refuses to negotiate with coup dissidents

According to the UN special rapporteur for the country, Myanmar’s military junta is systematically abducting the relatives of people it is seeking to arrest. This also includes children as young as 20 weeks old.

Tom Andrews, on Wednesday, told the UN Human Rights Council that conditions in the country have deteriorated and that “current efforts by the international community to stop the downward spiral of events in Myanmar are simply not working”.

“I have received credible reports that junta forces have arbitrarily detained at least 177 individuals­ when the initial target of a raid had successfully eluded arrest. These victims include very young children as young as 20 weeks old,” he said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-want-to-address-un-general-assembly-appoint-new-envoy-414770">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy</a>

He further added that the military was routinely abducting family members when it is unable to locate individuals it is seeking to arrest.

The military junta has murdered more than 1,100 people, he revealed. This includes dozen of children.&nbsp;

As of July, the junta had killed at least 75 children ranging in age from 14 months to 17 years.

Andrew called for a “change of course” by the international community. This will be done to avert further human rights abuses and deaths as he warned that there are now more than 230,000 civilians who have been displaced because of the junta.

According to the UN special rapporteur for the country, Myanmar’s military junta is systematically abducting the relatives of people it is seeking to arrest. This also includes children as young as 20 weeks old.

According to the UN special rapporteur for the country, Myanmar’s military junta is systematically abducting the relatives of people it is seeking to arrest. This also includes children as young as 20 weeks old. Tom Andrews, on Wednesday, told the UN Human Rights Council that conditions in the country have deteriorated and that “current efforts by the international community to stop the downward spiral of events in Myanmar are simply not working”. “I have received credible reports that junta forces have arbitrarily detained at least 177 individuals when the initial target of a raid had successfully eluded arrest. These victims include very young children as young as 20 weeks old,” he said. Also read | Taliban want to address UN General Assembly, appoint new envoy He further added that the military was routinely abducting family members when it is unable to locate individuals it is seeking to arrest. The military junta has murdered more than 1,100 people, he revealed. This includes dozen of children. As of July, the junta had killed at least 75 children ranging in age from 14 months to 17 years. Andrew called for a “change of course” by the international community. This will be done to avert further human rights abuses and deaths as he warned that there are now more than 230,000 civilians who have been displaced because of the junta.

Myanmar junta has murdered more than 1,100 people, says UN expert

Myanmar's junta has put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for incitement, her lawyer said Tuesday, the latest in a list of charges that could see her jailed for decades.

Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy were deposed by the military in a February coup that sparked a mass uprising and a brutal junta crackdown on dissent.

The Nobel laureate, 76, has been under house arrest ever since, with meetings with her lawyers and court appearances her only link to the outside world.

She pleaded not guilty to charges of incitement, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said, adding she "seemed to be in good health," a week after she skipped a separate hearing because she felt unwell.

Each charge carries a maximum of three years in prison.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talibans-mullah-baradars-influence-fades-as-pakistans-isi-backs-haqqani-network-report-414590">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban's Mullah Baradar's influence fades as Pakistan's ISI backs Haqqani Network: Report</a>

Ousted president Win Myint has also pleaded not guilty to incitement.&nbsp;

Tuesday saw the court hear prosecution testimony that Suu Kyi flouted coronavirus restrictions during elections her party won by a landslide last year, her lawyer said.

Next month she will face a new trial on corruption charges, and she has also been charged with violating a colonial-era secrecy law, although this has also yet to come to court.

Her NLD government was deposed by the military for alleged voter fraud during the 2020 polls, in which it trounced a political party aligned with the generals.&nbsp;

Security forces have killed more than 1,100 civilians since the putsch, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

The military says the toll is much lower.

Myanmar's junta has put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for incitement, her lawyer said Tuesday, the latest in a list of charges that could see her jailed for decades.

Myanmar's junta has put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for incitement, her lawyer said Tuesday, the latest in a list of charges that could see her jailed for decades. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy were deposed by the military in a February coup that sparked a mass uprising and a brutal junta crackdown on dissent. The Nobel laureate, 76, has been under house arrest ever since, with meetings with her lawyers and court appearances her only link to the outside world. She pleaded not guilty to charges of incitement, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said, adding she "seemed to be in good health," a week after she skipped a separate hearing because she felt unwell. Each charge carries a maximum of three years in prison. Also read | Taliban's Mullah Baradar's influence fades as Pakistan's ISI backs Haqqani Network: Report Ousted president Win Myint has also pleaded not guilty to incitement. Tuesday saw the court hear prosecution testimony that Suu Kyi flouted coronavirus restrictions during elections her party won by a landslide last year, her lawyer said. Next month she will face a new trial on corruption charges, and she has also been charged with violating a colonial-era secrecy law, although this has also yet to come to court. Her NLD government was deposed by the military for alleged voter fraud during the 2020 polls, in which it trounced a political party aligned with the generals. Security forces have killed more than 1,100 civilians since the putsch, according to a local monitoring group. The military says the toll is much lower.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi goes on trial for incitement, pleads not guilty

Myanmar&nbsp;anti-junta&nbsp;dissidents have carried out a&nbsp;bomb&nbsp;attack on security forces&nbsp;near&nbsp;Yangon, with several killed in an ensuing firefight, the military and media said.

The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February, sparking mass pro-democracy protests and a bloody crackdown by the military.&nbsp;

Various townships across&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;have formed so-called "people defence forces" to fight back against the&nbsp;junta, although the majority of clashes have been reported in rural areas.

Security forces were travelling through Khayan, a suburb of&nbsp;Myanmar's commercial hub&nbsp;Yangon&nbsp;on Friday when they were attacked with a homemade&nbsp;bomb, the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;said in a statement on Saturday.

"Both groups fired back and forth, a member of the security forces was injured," the statement said, adding that firearms and ammunition were confiscated after the clash.

"Some terrorists were... (killed), one of them was wounded."

Local media reported at least two dissidents were killed and one arrested.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/life-under-taliban-an-afghan-journalist-opens-up-414005">Also read |&nbsp;Life under Taliban: An Afghan journalist opens up&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

Earlier this month a "National Unity Government" made up mostly of lawmakers affiliated with Suu Kyi's ousted party called for a "people's defensive war" and urged civilians to target&nbsp;junta&nbsp;assets.

Communications towers belonging to the military-owned Mytel company have been targeted across&nbsp;Myanmar.

Conflict has also intensified in the Sagaing and Magway regions, where locals this week accused the military of burning down homes and displacing thousands.

"The military has been crushing our region because of the local resistance forces," a 25-year-old woman from Magway's Gangaw township told AFP.

"I lost some of my friends... I am heartbroken because I had witnessed all their atrocities with my own eyes."

Another Gangaw township resident said in one of its hardest-hit&nbsp;villages, Namg Kar, scores of homes have been razed since September 10 -- a start-stop process over the past week as monsoon rains kept dousing the flames.

"They tried to burn down the whole village. But it was rainy season," said the resident, adding that Namg Kar's 4,000 residents have fled to a nearby jungle.

"They are afraid of the army as they could come back any time to the village," he said.

Images obtained by AFP showed Namg Kar villagers carrying buckets of water as smoke rose in the distance, while remains of burnt foundations smouldered.

The&nbsp;junta&nbsp;has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Myanmar anti-junta dissidents have carried out a bomb attack on security forces near Yangon, with several killed in an ensuing firefight, the military and media said.

Myanmar anti-junta dissidents have carried out a bomb attack on security forces near Yangon, with several killed in an ensuing firefight, the military and media said. The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February, sparking mass pro-democracy protests and a bloody crackdown by the military. Various townships across Myanmar have formed so-called "people defence forces" to fight back against the junta, although the majority of clashes have been reported in rural areas. Security forces were travelling through Khayan, a suburb of Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon on Friday when they were attacked with a homemade bomb, the junta said in a statement on Saturday. "Both groups fired back and forth, a member of the security forces was injured," the statement said, adding that firearms and ammunition were confiscated after the clash. "Some terrorists were... (killed), one of them was wounded." Local media reported at least two dissidents were killed and one arrested. Also read | Life under Taliban: An Afghan journalist opens up Earlier this month a "National Unity Government" made up mostly of lawmakers affiliated with Suu Kyi's ousted party called for a "people's defensive war" and urged civilians to target junta assets. Communications towers belonging to the military-owned Mytel company have been targeted across Myanmar. Conflict has also intensified in the Sagaing and Magway regions, where locals this week accused the military of burning down homes and displacing thousands. "The military has been crushing our region because of the local resistance forces," a 25-year-old woman from Magway's Gangaw township told AFP. "I lost some of my friends... I am heartbroken because I had witnessed all their atrocities with my own eyes." Another Gangaw township resident said in one of its hardest-hit villages, Namg Kar, scores of homes have been razed since September 10 -- a start-stop process over the past week as monsoon rains kept dousing the flames. "They tried to burn down the whole village. But it was rainy season," said the resident, adding that Namg Kar's 4,000 residents have fled to a nearby jungle. "They are afraid of the army as they could come back any time to the village," he said. Images obtained by AFP showed Namg Kar villagers carrying buckets of water as smoke rose in the distance, while remains of burnt foundations smouldered. The junta has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Myanmar military convoy hit by roadside bomb near Yangon

Norwegian telecom firm Telenor is selling its Myanmar operations to avoid European Union sanctions after "continued pressure" from Myanmar's military junta to activate intercept surveillance technology, the company's Asia head told Reuters.

Telenor&nbsp;announced in July it would sell its Myanmar unit to Lebanese investment firm M1 Group for $105 million, prompting an outcry from activists in the country who have been relying on its services for communications.

A Reuters investigation in May found telecom and internet service providers in Myanmar had been secretly ordered in the months before the junta's Feb. 1 coup to install invasive technology that would allow the army to freely eavesdrop on the communications of citizens.

"Since the military took over, it's been clear for us that our presence will require Telenor Myanmar to activate intercept equipment and technology for the use of Myanmar authorities," Asia head Jørgen Rostrup said in an interview.

Allowing the activation of the intercept technology would break the 2018 EU arms embargo against the Southeast Asian country, the executive added, stressing the need for legal or regulatory safeguards in Myanmar to protect human rights.

"Telenor Myanmar has not activated the equipment as of yet and will not do so voluntarily," he said. He declined to comment on whether the intercept technology had been installed at Telenor's operations in Myanmar.

Rostrup's comments represent the first time Telenor has addressed the impact of the intercept on its strategy since the junta seized power.

A spokesman for the Myanmar military did not answer calls for comment. Norway's industry ministry declined to comment, saying the sale of the unit was a decision for Telenor's board and management to make.

Many governments allow for what are commonly called 'lawful intercepts' to be used by law enforcement agencies to catch criminals. But in most democratic countries and even some authoritarian regimes, the technology is not ordinarily employed without any kind of legal process, cybersecurity experts say.

Myanmar activists have called for Telenor to halt or delay the sale. But Rostrup said Telenor felt it had no choice but to withdraw from the country as respecting the EU embargo meant it could not ensure the safety of its employees and allowing the intercept to be activated would be "a complete breach of our values and principles".

Reuters reported in July that senior executives at major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must seek special authorisation to leave the country. The travel ban was followed by a second order instructing telecom firms to fully activate the intercept.

Telenor declined to comment on the travel ban.

Rostrup said Telenor had chosen M1 after finding it had "no direct relationships with authorities or the military in Myanmar".

The deal was submitted to Myanmar authorities for regulatory review recently, he said, adding that the process is expected to take 60 days.

Myanmar rights group told Reuters they believe the telecom is not doing enough.

"Telenor is trying to skirt its human rights responsibilities," said Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung.

"Telenor must cancel the sale and come up with an exit strategy that does not risk the lives of the many Myanmar people who are struggling against the junta".

Prior to the coup, Telenor had been one of the largest foreign investors in the country with its Myanmar operations accounting for 7 per cent&nbsp;of its total earnings last year. It wrote off its $783 million investment in its Myanmar unit in May.

Norwegian telecom firm Telenor is selling its Myanmar operations to avoid European Union sanctions after "continued pressure" from Myanmar's military junta to activate intercept surveillance technology, the company's Asia head told Reuters.

Norwegian telecom firm Telenor is selling its Myanmar operations to avoid European Union sanctions after "continued pressure" from Myanmar's military junta to activate intercept surveillance technology, the company's Asia head told Reuters. Telenor announced in July it would sell its Myanmar unit to Lebanese investment firm M1 Group for $105 million, prompting an outcry from activists in the country who have been relying on its services for communications. A Reuters investigation in May found telecom and internet service providers in Myanmar had been secretly ordered in the months before the junta's Feb. 1 coup to install invasive technology that would allow the army to freely eavesdrop on the communications of citizens. "Since the military took over, it's been clear for us that our presence will require Telenor Myanmar to activate intercept equipment and technology for the use of Myanmar authorities," Asia head Jørgen Rostrup said in an interview. Allowing the activation of the intercept technology would break the 2018 EU arms embargo against the Southeast Asian country, the executive added, stressing the need for legal or regulatory safeguards in Myanmar to protect human rights. "Telenor Myanmar has not activated the equipment as of yet and will not do so voluntarily," he said. He declined to comment on whether the intercept technology had been installed at Telenor's operations in Myanmar. Rostrup's comments represent the first time Telenor has addressed the impact of the intercept on its strategy since the junta seized power. A spokesman for the Myanmar military did not answer calls for comment. Norway's industry ministry declined to comment, saying the sale of the unit was a decision for Telenor's board and management to make. Many governments allow for what are commonly called 'lawful intercepts' to be used by law enforcement agencies to catch criminals. But in most democratic countries and even some authoritarian regimes, the technology is not ordinarily employed without any kind of legal process, cybersecurity experts say. Myanmar activists have called for Telenor to halt or delay the sale. But Rostrup said Telenor felt it had no choice but to withdraw from the country as respecting the EU embargo meant it could not ensure the safety of its employees and allowing the intercept to be activated would be "a complete breach of our values and principles". Reuters reported in July that senior executives at major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must seek special authorisation to leave the country. The travel ban was followed by a second order instructing telecom firms to fully activate the intercept. Telenor declined to comment on the travel ban. Rostrup said Telenor had chosen M1 after finding it had "no direct relationships with authorities or the military in Myanmar". The deal was submitted to Myanmar authorities for regulatory review recently, he said, adding that the process is expected to take 60 days. Myanmar rights group told Reuters they believe the telecom is not doing enough. "Telenor is trying to skirt its human rights responsibilities," said Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung. "Telenor must cancel the sale and come up with an exit strategy that does not risk the lives of the many Myanmar people who are struggling against the junta". Prior to the coup, Telenor had been one of the largest foreign investors in the country with its Myanmar operations accounting for 7 per cent of its total earnings last year. It wrote off its $783 million investment in its Myanmar unit in May.

Norway's Telenor says Myanmar unit sale plan followed junta's pressure on surveillance tech

Norwegian telecoms group&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;said Thursday it is selling its subsidiary in Myanmar, where it is one of the major operators, as a result of the military coup there.

While the agreement to sell&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;Myanmar to M1 Group for $105 million will ensure continued operations of its fixed and wireless networks, analysts expressed concern it might not bode well for freedom to use social networks.

"The situation in Myanmar has over the past months become increasingly challenging for&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;for people security, regulatory and compliance reasons,"&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;chief executive Sigve Brekke was quoted as saying in a statement announcing the divestment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/military-coup-puts-telenors-future-in-myanmar-on-the-line-383525">Military coup puts Telenor's future in Myanmar on the line</a>

"We have evaluated all options and believe a sale of the company is the best possible solution in this situation," he said.&nbsp;

Telenor&nbsp;has had a commercial presence in Myanmar since 2014 and employs a workforce of around 750 in the country.

Telenor&nbsp;was pushed deep into the red in the first quarter after it was forced to write down all of its assets in Myanmar, taking their value from 6.5 billion kroner ($769 million) to zero.

But the operator was highly profitable, however, with&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;saying the subsidiary had paid 3.2 billion in dividends since 2017.

Myanmar has been rocked by massive protests and a brutal military response since the February coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-may-target-free-speech-in-effort-to-stifle-protests-363394">Myanmar may target free speech in effort to stifle protests</a>

More than 880 civilians have been killed in a crackdown by the State Administration Council, as the junta calls itself, and almost 6,500 arrested, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

"Further deterioration of the situation and recent developments in Myanmar form the basis for the decision to divest the company," said&nbsp;Telenor.

The sale is subject to regulator approval by the authorities in Myanmar.

The junta has vested interests in swathes of the country's economy, from mining to banking, oil and tourism.

NGOs have urged foreign companies to review their presence in Myanmar.

M1 Group is a holding company founded by former Lebanese prime minister Najib Azmi Mikati and his brother.

It holds a major stake in the MTN mobile operator that is a leader in Africa but which is also active in Asia.

'End of story'&nbsp;

M1 is also on the blacklist established by Burma Campaign UK, which monitors the business ties of international firms with the Myanmar military.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-pressuring-telecom-firms-myanmars-junta-bans-executives-from-leaving-395816">After pressuring telecom firms, Myanmar's junta bans executives from leaving</a>

According to a 2019 report conducted by an international independent fact-finding mission presented the UN Human Rights Council on the economic interests of Myanmar's military, the M1 Group has a stake in a company that rents mobile phone towers to the MEC, an army-owned firm that owns the Mytel mobile network.

Htwe Htwe Thein, a professor of international business at Curtin University in Australia, expressed concern about the impact of the sale on data security and privacy for Burmese using social networks if the new owner is more compliant with authorities.

"End of story for the people of Myanmar who are hugely reliant on social media to send the messages out, to promote their cause," she said in comments emailed to AFP.

The junta has at times completely blocked internet access or certain social networks being used to organise opposition.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/internet-access-restored-as-myanmar-coup-protests-grow-361966">Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow</a>

"At a broader level, the exit of&nbsp;Telenor&nbsp;has proven it is not possible to continue doing business in Myanmar under the military without breaking their commitment to human rights policies," Htwe Htwe Thein added.

She noted that companies that remain, like energy companies Chevron and TotalEnergies, face a dilemma as by remaining they fill the tax coffers of the junta but their departure could worsen the human rights situation further.

Telenor&nbsp;shares were 0.3 percent higher in afternoon trading in Oslo, lagging the overall market which was up 1.0 percent.

Norwegian telecoms group Telenor said Thursday it is selling its subsidiary in Myanmar, where it is one of the major operators, as a result of the military coup there.

Norwegian telecoms group Telenor said Thursday it is selling its subsidiary in Myanmar, where it is one of the major operators, as a result of the military coup there. While the agreement to sell Telenor Myanmar to M1 Group for $105 million will ensure continued operations of its fixed and wireless networks, analysts expressed concern it might not bode well for freedom to use social networks. "The situation in Myanmar has over the past months become increasingly challenging for Telenor for people security, regulatory and compliance reasons," Telenor chief executive Sigve Brekke was quoted as saying in a statement announcing the divestment. Also read | Military coup puts Telenor's future in Myanmar on the line "We have evaluated all options and believe a sale of the company is the best possible solution in this situation," he said. Telenor has had a commercial presence in Myanmar since 2014 and employs a workforce of around 750 in the country. Telenor was pushed deep into the red in the first quarter after it was forced to write down all of its assets in Myanmar, taking their value from 6.5 billion kroner ($769 million) to zero. But the operator was highly profitable, however, with Telenor saying the subsidiary had paid 3.2 billion in dividends since 2017. Myanmar has been rocked by massive protests and a brutal military response since the February coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her government. Also read | Myanmar may target free speech in effort to stifle protests More than 880 civilians have been killed in a crackdown by the State Administration Council, as the junta calls itself, and almost 6,500 arrested, according to a local monitoring group. "Further deterioration of the situation and recent developments in Myanmar form the basis for the decision to divest the company," said Telenor. The sale is subject to regulator approval by the authorities in Myanmar. The junta has vested interests in swathes of the country's economy, from mining to banking, oil and tourism. NGOs have urged foreign companies to review their presence in Myanmar. M1 Group is a holding company founded by former Lebanese prime minister Najib Azmi Mikati and his brother. It holds a major stake in the MTN mobile operator that is a leader in Africa but which is also active in Asia. 'End of story' M1 is also on the blacklist established by Burma Campaign UK, which monitors the business ties of international firms with the Myanmar military. Also read | After pressuring telecom firms, Myanmar's junta bans executives from leaving According to a 2019 report conducted by an international independent fact-finding mission presented the UN Human Rights Council on the economic interests of Myanmar's military, the M1 Group has a stake in a company that rents mobile phone towers to the MEC, an army-owned firm that owns the Mytel mobile network. Htwe Htwe Thein, a professor of international business at Curtin University in Australia, expressed concern about the impact of the sale on data security and privacy for Burmese using social networks if the new owner is more compliant with authorities. "End of story for the people of Myanmar who are hugely reliant on social media to send the messages out, to promote their cause," she said in comments emailed to AFP. The junta has at times completely blocked internet access or certain social networks being used to organise opposition. Also read | Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow "At a broader level, the exit of Telenor has proven it is not possible to continue doing business in Myanmar under the military without breaking their commitment to human rights policies," Htwe Htwe Thein added. She noted that companies that remain, like energy companies Chevron and TotalEnergies, face a dilemma as by remaining they fill the tax coffers of the junta but their departure could worsen the human rights situation further. Telenor shares were 0.3 percent higher in afternoon trading in Oslo, lagging the overall market which was up 1.0 percent.

Norway's Telenor quits Myanmar over military coup

Senior foreign executives of major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must not leave the country without permission, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. 
 
A confidential order from Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) in mid-June said senior executives, both foreigners and Myanmar nationals, must seek special authorisation to leave the country, the person said. 
 
A week later, telecom companies were sent a second letter telling them they had until Monday July 5 to fully implement intercept technology they had previously been asked to install to let authorities spy on calls, messages and web traffic and to track users by themselves, the source said. Reuters has not seen the orders. 
 
The directives follow pressure on the companies from the junta, which is facing daily protests from its opponents and a growing number of insurgencies to activate the spyware technology. 
 
A spokesman for the military did not answer multiple requests for comment. The junta has never commented on the electronic surveillance effort, but announced soon after seizing power its aim to pass a cybersecurity bill that would require telecoms providers to provide data when requested and remove or block any content deemed to be disrupting 'unity, stabilisation&nbsp;and peace'. It also amended privacy laws to free security forces to intercept communications. 
 
The travel ban comes after intensified pressure from military officials to finish the implementation of the surveillance equipment. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the ban was meant to pressure telecoms firms to finish activating the spyware technology, although the order itself does not specify a reason. 
 
Three other telecoms sources, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the authorities had stepped up pressure on the companies to implement the intercept, but declined to elaborate further. Two sources said companies had been warned repeatedly by junta officials not to speak publicly or to the media on the intercept. 
 
Telenor declined to comment. There was no immediate response to requests for comment from Ooredoo, state-owned MPT and Mytel, a joint venture between Vietnam's Viettel and a Myanmar military-owned conglomerate. 
 
Months before the February&nbsp;1 coup, telecom and internet service providers were ordered to install intercept spyware to allow the army to eavesdrop on the communications of citizens, Reuters reported in May. 
 
Reuters was not able to establish how broadly the surveillance technology has been installed and deployed, but four sources said Norway's Telenor ASA and Qatar's Ooredoo QPSC had yet to comply in full. 
 
Among the military's first actions on February&nbsp;1 was to cut internet access and it has still not been fully re-established, with telecoms given regular lists of websites and activist phone numbers to block. 
 
The moves have left the future unclear for Myanmar's telecom sector, which had been one of the fastest-growing globally. Telenor said on Friday it is evaluating the future of its operations in the country, with a source telling Reuters it is eying a sale of its Myanmar unit.

Senior foreign executives of major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must not leave the country without permission, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Senior foreign executives of major telecommunications firms in Myanmar have been told by the junta that they must not leave the country without permission, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. A confidential order from Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) in mid-June said senior executives, both foreigners and Myanmar nationals, must seek special authorisation to leave the country, the person said. A week later, telecom companies were sent a second letter telling them they had until Monday July 5 to fully implement intercept technology they had previously been asked to install to let authorities spy on calls, messages and web traffic and to track users by themselves, the source said. Reuters has not seen the orders. The directives follow pressure on the companies from the junta, which is facing daily protests from its opponents and a growing number of insurgencies to activate the spyware technology. A spokesman for the military did not answer multiple requests for comment. The junta has never commented on the electronic surveillance effort, but announced soon after seizing power its aim to pass a cybersecurity bill that would require telecoms providers to provide data when requested and remove or block any content deemed to be disrupting 'unity, stabilisation and peace'. It also amended privacy laws to free security forces to intercept communications. The travel ban comes after intensified pressure from military officials to finish the implementation of the surveillance equipment. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the ban was meant to pressure telecoms firms to finish activating the spyware technology, although the order itself does not specify a reason. Three other telecoms sources, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the authorities had stepped up pressure on the companies to implement the intercept, but declined to elaborate further. Two sources said companies had been warned repeatedly by junta officials not to speak publicly or to the media on the intercept. Telenor declined to comment. There was no immediate response to requests for comment from Ooredoo, state-owned MPT and Mytel, a joint venture between Vietnam's Viettel and a Myanmar military-owned conglomerate. Months before the February 1 coup, telecom and internet service providers were ordered to install intercept spyware to allow the army to eavesdrop on the communications of citizens, Reuters reported in May. Reuters was not able to establish how broadly the surveillance technology has been installed and deployed, but four sources said Norway's Telenor ASA and Qatar's Ooredoo QPSC had yet to comply in full. Among the military's first actions on February 1 was to cut internet access and it has still not been fully re-established, with telecoms given regular lists of websites and activist phone numbers to block. The moves have left the future unclear for Myanmar's telecom sector, which had been one of the fastest-growing globally. Telenor said on Friday it is evaluating the future of its operations in the country, with a source telling Reuters it is eying a sale of its Myanmar unit.

After pressuring telecom firms, Myanmar's junta bans executives from leaving

Protesters burned mock coffins and pictures of Myanmar's army ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday in the latest demonstrations against the coup over five months ago that has plunged the Southeast Asian country into chaos. 
 
'May you not rest in peace' and 'may your birthday and deathday be the same',&nbsp;read the messages on funeral wreaths in Theinzayet township in eastern Mon state. Similar protests took place in many parts of Myanmar, reported Reuters. 
 
"We are burning this as a curse," said one protester in the second city of Mandalay, setting ablaze a small pile of picture of the general, 65. 
 
A spokesman for the military authorities did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Min Aung Hlaing took power on February&nbsp;1, overthrowing elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and cutting short a decade of democratic reforms that had brought Myanmar out of isolation under previous juntas. 
 
Min Aung Hlaing had been due to retire after his 65th birthday, but the compulsory retirement age was scrapped after the coup.

The army says its assumption of powers was in line with the constitution. It alleged fraud in November elections swept by Suu Kyi's party, although the accusations were dismissed by the former electoral body. 
 
The junta has struggled to impose its authority. 
 
Protests take place in many parts of Myanmar almost daily, strikes have hurt official and private business and fighting has flared in the borderlands, sending some 200,000 people fleeing from their homes. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Protesters burned mock coffins and pictures of Myanmar's army ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday in the latest demonstrations against the coup over five months ago that has plunged the Southeast Asian country into chaos.

Protesters burned mock coffins and pictures of Myanmar's army ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday in the latest demonstrations against the coup over five months ago that has plunged the Southeast Asian country into chaos. 'May you not rest in peace' and 'may your birthday and deathday be the same', read the messages on funeral wreaths in Theinzayet township in eastern Mon state. Similar protests took place in many parts of Myanmar, reported Reuters. "We are burning this as a curse," said one protester in the second city of Mandalay, setting ablaze a small pile of picture of the general, 65. A spokesman for the military authorities did not respond to requests for comment. Min Aung Hlaing took power on February 1, overthrowing elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and cutting short a decade of democratic reforms that had brought Myanmar out of isolation under previous juntas. Min Aung Hlaing had been due to retire after his 65th birthday, but the compulsory retirement age was scrapped after the coup. The army says its assumption of powers was in line with the constitution. It alleged fraud in November elections swept by Suu Kyi's party, although the accusations were dismissed by the former electoral body. The junta has struggled to impose its authority. Protests take place in many parts of Myanmar almost daily, strikes have hurt official and private business and fighting has flared in the borderlands, sending some 200,000 people fleeing from their homes. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar protesters burn junta leader's images on his birthday

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told visiting junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaingid that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar, Russia's RIA news agency reported. 
 
"We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that have been established between our countries," RIA quoted Shoigu as saying at a meeting late on Tuesday. 
 
Min Aung Hlaing was in the Russian capital to attend a security conference this week. 
 
Rights activists have accused Moscow of legitimising Myanmar's military junta, which came to power in a February&nbsp;1 coup, by continuing bilateral visits and arms deals. 
 
Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in Myanmar. 
 
Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told visiting junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaingid that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar, Russia's RIA news agency reported.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told visiting junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaingid that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar, Russia's RIA news agency reported. "We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that have been established between our countries," RIA quoted Shoigu as saying at a meeting late on Tuesday. Min Aung Hlaing was in the Russian capital to attend a security conference this week. Rights activists have accused Moscow of legitimising Myanmar's military junta, which came to power in a February 1 coup, by continuing bilateral visits and arms deals. Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in Myanmar. Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia says to boost military ties with Myanmar as junta leader visits

Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said.

Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas.

Acting on a tip-off, security forces raided a house in Mandalay's Chan Mya Tharsi township on Tuesday morning, the junta's information team said in a statement, and were met with small arms fire and grenades.

Two officers were killed during the raid, military sources told AFP, and at least ten were wounded.

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Four "terrorists" were killed and eight arrested in possession of homemade mines, hand grenades and small arms, a junta spokesman said in a statement.

"We could hear artillery shooting even though our house is far from that place," a Mandalay resident told AFP.

Another four members of the self-defence group were killed when the car they were attempting to flee in crashed, the spokesman said, without providing details.

The United States' embassy in Yangon said on Twitter it was "tracking reports of ongoing fighting in Mandalay... We are disturbed by the military escalation and urgently call for a cessation of violence."

The mass uprising against the military putsch that toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group.

As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training.

But part-time fighters know the odds are stacked against them in any confrontation with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal.

Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said.

Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said. Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas. Acting on a tip-off, security forces raided a house in Mandalay's Chan Mya Tharsi township on Tuesday morning, the junta's information team said in a statement, and were met with small arms fire and grenades. Two officers were killed during the raid, military sources told AFP, and at least ten were wounded. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges Four "terrorists" were killed and eight arrested in possession of homemade mines, hand grenades and small arms, a junta spokesman said in a statement. "We could hear artillery shooting even though our house is far from that place," a Mandalay resident told AFP. Another four members of the self-defence group were killed when the car they were attempting to flee in crashed, the spokesman said, without providing details. The United States' embassy in Yangon said on Twitter it was "tracking reports of ongoing fighting in Mandalay... We are disturbed by the military escalation and urgently call for a cessation of violence." The mass uprising against the military putsch that toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group. As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training. But part-time fighters know the odds are stacked against them in any confrontation with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal.

Six killed in clashes between Myanmar Army and anti-junta militia

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a junta court again Tuesday on trial for sedition and for flouting Covid restrictions during an election her ousted party won in a landslide.

A mass uprising in Myanmar against a February military putsch has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group.

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Under house arrest and invisible bar a handful of court appearances, Suu Kyi has been hit with an eclectic raft of charges, including accepting illegal payments of gold and violating a colonial-era secrecy law.

On Tuesday, the court heard testimony she violated COVID-19 restrictions during elections last year that her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won in a landslide, her lawyer The Maung Maung told reporters.

The special court in Naypyidaw also heard testimony on separate sedition charges.

Journalists were barred from the proceedings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-wear-flowers-to-mark-suu-kyis-birthday-392735" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-wear-flowers-to-mark-suu-kyis-birthday-392735&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiSpvLFv6vxAhWv8HMBHZFOBu4QFjAEegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3S3ljmhuMW9aHxPr3YeHAs" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-wear-flowers-to-mark-suu-kyis-birthday-392735" target="_blank">Myanmar protesters wear flowers to mark&nbsp;Suu Kyi's&nbsp;birthday</a>

Su Kyi appeared in good health, The Maung Maung said.

Brief meetings with her legal team have been the only channel to the outside world for Suu Kyi -- who remains widely popular in Myanmar -- since she was detained in February.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has justified his power grab by citing alleged electoral fraud in the November poll and has threatened to dissolve the NLD.

Suu Kyi's lawyers have said they expect the trial to wrap up by July 26.

The other charges against her include claims that she accepted illegal payments of gold and violated a colonial-era secrecy law.

The hearing came as soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the city of Mandalay on Tuesday, with at least four protesters and two security personnel killed, authorities said.

Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but previous clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas.

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a junta court again Tuesday on trial for sedition and for flouting Covid restrictions during an election her ousted party won in a landslide.

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a junta court again Tuesday on trial for sedition and for flouting Covid restrictions during an election her ousted party won in a landslide. A mass uprising in Myanmar against a February military putsch has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group. Also read | Britain tightens sanctions on Myanmar military junta Under house arrest and invisible bar a handful of court appearances, Suu Kyi has been hit with an eclectic raft of charges, including accepting illegal payments of gold and violating a colonial-era secrecy law. On Tuesday, the court heard testimony she violated COVID-19 restrictions during elections last year that her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won in a landslide, her lawyer The Maung Maung told reporters. The special court in Naypyidaw also heard testimony on separate sedition charges. Journalists were barred from the proceedings. Also read | Myanmar protesters wear flowers to mark Suu Kyi's birthday Su Kyi appeared in good health, The Maung Maung said. Brief meetings with her legal team have been the only channel to the outside world for Suu Kyi -- who remains widely popular in Myanmar -- since she was detained in February. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has justified his power grab by citing alleged electoral fraud in the November poll and has threatened to dissolve the NLD. Suu Kyi's lawyers have said they expect the trial to wrap up by July 26. The other charges against her include claims that she accepted illegal payments of gold and violated a colonial-era secrecy law. The hearing came as soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the city of Mandalay on Tuesday, with at least four protesters and two security personnel killed, authorities said. Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but previous clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges

Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Verma has said that India has been talking to&nbsp;'both sides'&nbsp;in Myanmar and has asked the military rulers of the country to&nbsp;'resolve the current situation'. Myanmar saw a military coup on&nbsp;February 1, reversing the democratic gains of the last many years with cases against the country's charismatic leader&nbsp;Aung&nbsp;San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi.&nbsp;

Verma said, "In Myanmar,&nbsp;we have been formally and informally talking to both sides. We have urged the military junta,&nbsp;which is there at the moment to release all the political prisoners and support any attempt to resolve the current situation."&nbsp;

India backs the ASEAN initiative on resolution of the situation in the country. The initiative is a five-point agenda that calls for humanitarian assistance, cessation of violence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The envoy pointed out that India also&nbsp;'trying to find out if there could be any other track which will have a larger traction to resolve the issues', highlighting that "we have time and again talked about restoration of rule of law, restoration of provisions of the constitution of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;and offered our assistance wherever we can...(and) collaborate with international partners for a positive forward movement. We are not necessarily looking at punishing the country."&nbsp;

He was responding to a question at the foreign&nbsp;correspondents&nbsp;club of Japan. During his answer to the question on&nbsp;Myanmar, he recalled how India did&nbsp;'play a role'&nbsp;last time the country was under military rule as was&nbsp;'required that time for the democratic institutions in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;and we are ready to do the same'.&nbsp;

On Friday, India abstained&nbsp;from voting during&nbsp;an&nbsp;UN resolution on an arms embargo on the country, calling the resolution,&nbsp;a move in haste. It has spoken multiple times at UNSC meetings on the situation in Myanmar, condemning the violence in the country. The envoy said,&nbsp;"Myanmar is our&nbsp;neighbouring&nbsp;country.&nbsp;Therefore,&nbsp;anything happening&nbsp;in Myanmar could have cross border implications, which&nbsp;will&nbsp;be&nbsp;important for us."&nbsp;

India and Myanmar share maritime and land borders. India has been developing the Kaladan multimodal projects that increases connectivity between the&nbsp;two&nbsp;countries. Myanmar in the past has helped India deal with its insurgency in bordering states.&nbsp;

Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Verma has said that India has been talking to 'both sides' in Myanmar and has asked the military rulers of the country to 'resolve the current situation'.

Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Verma has said that India has been talking to 'both sides' in Myanmar and has asked the military rulers of the country to 'resolve the current situation'. Myanmar saw a military coup on February 1, reversing the democratic gains of the last many years with cases against the country's charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Verma said, "In Myanmar, we have been formally and informally talking to both sides. We have urged the military junta, which is there at the moment to release all the political prisoners and support any attempt to resolve the current situation." India backs the ASEAN initiative on resolution of the situation in the country. The initiative is a five-point agenda that calls for humanitarian assistance, cessation of violence. The envoy pointed out that India also 'trying to find out if there could be any other track which will have a larger traction to resolve the issues', highlighting that "we have time and again talked about restoration of rule of law, restoration of provisions of the constitution of Myanmar and offered our assistance wherever we can...(and) collaborate with international partners for a positive forward movement. We are not necessarily looking at punishing the country." He was responding to a question at the foreign correspondents club of Japan. During his answer to the question on Myanmar, he recalled how India did 'play a role' last time the country was under military rule as was 'required that time for the democratic institutions in Myanmar and we are ready to do the same'. On Friday, India abstained from voting during an UN resolution on an arms embargo on the country, calling the resolution, a move in haste. It has spoken multiple times at UNSC meetings on the situation in Myanmar, condemning the violence in the country. The envoy said, "Myanmar is our neighbouring country. Therefore, anything happening in Myanmar could have cross border implications, which will be important for us." India and Myanmar share maritime and land borders. India has been developing the Kaladan multimodal projects that increases connectivity between the two countries. Myanmar in the past has helped India deal with its insurgency in bordering states.

Talking to both sides in Myanmar, says Indian envoy to Japan 

Myanmar's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an arms embargo against the Southeast Asian nation and condemning the military's February seizure of power.

Myanmar described the resolution, which passed Friday and is not legally binding, as being "based on one-sided sweeping allegations and false assumptions."&nbsp;The statement issued in the capital Naypyitaw said the Foreign Ministry had sent letters of objection to the UN secretary-general and the General Assembly's president.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-calls-for-halt-of-weapons-to-myanmar-392513">United Nations calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar</a>

The resolution reflected a broad international consensus condemning the takeover that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. It called on the military junta to restore the country's democratic transition, condemned its "excessive and lethal violence"&nbsp;since the takeover and called on all countries "to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar."

The resolution also called on Myanmar's armed forces to immediately and unconditionally release Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials and politicians detained after the coup, as well as "all those who have been arbitrarily detained, charged or arrested."

The measure was approved with 119 countries voting 'yes,'&nbsp;Belarus,&nbsp;a major arms supplier to Myanmar,&nbsp;voting 'no'&nbsp;and 36 countries abstaining, including Myanmar's neighbours China and India, along with Russia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-calls-un-arms-ban-resolution-on-myanmar-as-haste-course-of-action-392551">India calls UN arms ban resolution on Myanmar as 'haste course of action'</a>

Myanmar's UN&nbsp;Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who in February denounced the military takeover, voted 'yes'&nbsp;and urged the international community 'to take the strongest possible action to immediately end the military coup.'

The Foreign Ministry statement said it considers Kyaw Moe Tun as having been dismissed from his position and noted that he has been charged with treason in Myanmar.

"Accordingly, his statement, participation and action in the meeting are illegitimate and unacceptable and Myanmar strongly rejects his participation and statements,"&nbsp;it said.

"?While Myanmar embraces constructive advice by the international community in addressing the challenges that Myanmar is facing, any attempt infringing on the state sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of Myanmar will not be accepted,"&nbsp;said the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/suu-kyis-trial-set-to-start-in-myanmar-junta-rejects-un-rights-chiefs-statement-391331">Suu Kyi's trial set to start in Myanmar, junta rejects UN rights chief's statement</a>

The more powerful UN&nbsp;Security Council, whose resolutions are legally binding, has adopted several statements on Myanmar, including condemning the use of violence against peaceful protesters, calling on the military to restore the democratic transition and exercise utmost restraint&nbsp;and "on all sides to refrain from violence."

But it has never been able to condemn the coup or authorize an arms embargo or other sanctions because of an almost certain veto by China, and possibly Russia.

Myanmar's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an arms embargo against the Southeast Asian nation and condemning the military's February seizure of power.

Myanmar's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an arms embargo against the Southeast Asian nation and condemning the military's February seizure of power. Myanmar described the resolution, which passed Friday and is not legally binding, as being "based on one-sided sweeping allegations and false assumptions." The statement issued in the capital Naypyitaw said the Foreign Ministry had sent letters of objection to the UN secretary-general and the General Assembly's president. Also read | United Nations calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar The resolution reflected a broad international consensus condemning the takeover that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. It called on the military junta to restore the country's democratic transition, condemned its "excessive and lethal violence" since the takeover and called on all countries "to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar." The resolution also called on Myanmar's armed forces to immediately and unconditionally release Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other officials and politicians detained after the coup, as well as "all those who have been arbitrarily detained, charged or arrested." The measure was approved with 119 countries voting 'yes,' Belarus, a major arms supplier to Myanmar, voting 'no' and 36 countries abstaining, including Myanmar's neighbours China and India, along with Russia. Also read | India calls UN arms ban resolution on Myanmar as 'haste course of action' Myanmar's UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who in February denounced the military takeover, voted 'yes' and urged the international community 'to take the strongest possible action to immediately end the military coup.' The Foreign Ministry statement said it considers Kyaw Moe Tun as having been dismissed from his position and noted that he has been charged with treason in Myanmar. "Accordingly, his statement, participation and action in the meeting are illegitimate and unacceptable and Myanmar strongly rejects his participation and statements," it said. "?While Myanmar embraces constructive advice by the international community in addressing the challenges that Myanmar is facing, any attempt infringing on the state sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of Myanmar will not be accepted," said the statement. Also read | Suu Kyi's trial set to start in Myanmar, junta rejects UN rights chief's statement The more powerful UN Security Council, whose resolutions are legally binding, has adopted several statements on Myanmar, including condemning the use of violence against peaceful protesters, calling on the military to restore the democratic transition and exercise utmost restraint and "on all sides to refrain from violence." But it has never been able to condemn the coup or authorize an arms embargo or other sanctions because of an almost certain veto by China, and possibly Russia.

Myanmar rejects UN resolution urging arms embargo

Photos and videos of devastated Kinma village in Magway region that circulated widely on social media showed much of the village flattened by fire and the charred bodies of farm animals

Junta burns Myanmar village in escalating violence

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. 
 
The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be&nbsp;reached&nbsp;for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. 
 
Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February&nbsp;1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. 
 
They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. 
 
"Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. 
 
Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. 
 
The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. 
 
The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month.

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be reached for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February 1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. "Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta media accuse ethnic army of killing 25 workers

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. 
 
The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. 
 
Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February&nbsp;1. 
 
State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. 
 
"The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. 
 
The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. 
 
The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. 
 
The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. 
 
The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared.

Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. 
 
But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. 
 
Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. 
 
China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. 
 
After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. 
 
A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. "The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared. Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

Myanmar junta defends response to crisis amid Southeast Asian criticism

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Myanmar's junta to free all political prisoners and discussed implementing a regional 'consensus' to end turmoil since the February&nbsp;1 coup, the regional bloc said. 
 
Myanmar's junta has shown little sign of heeding April's five-point agreement among the 10 ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, which calls for an end to violence, political talks and the naming of a regional special envoy. 
 
The ASEAN envoys met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, on Friday. 
 
The ASEAN statement dated June 5 said the objective of the visit was to discuss how Myanmar would reach 'a peaceful solution in the interests of its people'&nbsp;by implementing the five points. 
 
It said they had also 'called for the release of all political prisoners, including women and children and foreigners' - an appeal that was not on the consensus but is supported by many ASEAN members. 
 
Reuters was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment. 
 
The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said the meeting covered 'implementation of the recommendation of initial survey of ASEAN' and 'terror acts' by junta opponents and the army's plan to hold elections. 
 
The junta has failed to impose control since seizing power from elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. At least 849 have been killed, a rights group says. The army disputes that figure. 
 
Opponents of the junta have voiced frustration at the lack of tough action by ASEAN. 
 
Myanmar's crisis is also expected to be a topic at a special ASEAN-Chinese foreign ministers meeting in Chongqing this week. The junta's foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, will also attend. 
 
China's ambassador met army chief Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday. 
 
China's state-run Global Times newspaper quoted the junta leader as saying Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. It reported that the ambassador had said China was ready to support implementing the consensus. 
 
Opponents of the junta have been wary of the role of China, which unlike Western countries has not been vocal in criticising the coup. 
 
The army said it seized power after election authorities rejected its accusations of fraud in a November 2020 ballot swept by Suu Kyi's party. She now faces several charges and is due to appear in court again on Monday.

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Myanmar's junta to free all political prisoners and discussed implementing a regional 'consensus' to end turmoil since the February 1 coup, the regional bloc said.

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Myanmar's junta to free all political prisoners and discussed implementing a regional 'consensus' to end turmoil since the February 1 coup, the regional bloc said. Myanmar's junta has shown little sign of heeding April's five-point agreement among the 10 ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, which calls for an end to violence, political talks and the naming of a regional special envoy. The ASEAN envoys met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, on Friday. The ASEAN statement dated June 5 said the objective of the visit was to discuss how Myanmar would reach 'a peaceful solution in the interests of its people' by implementing the five points. It said they had also 'called for the release of all political prisoners, including women and children and foreigners' - an appeal that was not on the consensus but is supported by many ASEAN members. Reuters was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said the meeting covered 'implementation of the recommendation of initial survey of ASEAN' and 'terror acts' by junta opponents and the army's plan to hold elections. The junta has failed to impose control since seizing power from elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. At least 849 have been killed, a rights group says. The army disputes that figure. Opponents of the junta have voiced frustration at the lack of tough action by ASEAN. Myanmar's crisis is also expected to be a topic at a special ASEAN-Chinese foreign ministers meeting in Chongqing this week. The junta's foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, will also attend. China's ambassador met army chief Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday. China's state-run Global Times newspaper quoted the junta leader as saying Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. It reported that the ambassador had said China was ready to support implementing the consensus. Opponents of the junta have been wary of the role of China, which unlike Western countries has not been vocal in criticising the coup. The army said it seized power after election authorities rejected its accusations of fraud in a November 2020 ballot swept by Suu Kyi's party. She now faces several charges and is due to appear in court again on Monday.

Regional envoys urged Myanmar junta to free prisoners, follow agreement

Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results.

State broadcaster MRTV showed Senior Gen&nbsp;Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, but provided only a broad outline of their discussions.

Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegation's purpose was to seek Myanmar's approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. He said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow.

Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. The National Unity Government said at a rare online news conference that ASEAN should meet with them as well, not just the military. "Any discussions, any meeting about the future of the people of Myanmar must include the people of Myanmar, (their) voices must be heard," said spokesperson Sa Sa.

The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed at the regional summit in Jakarta in April, which Min Aung Hlaing attended over the objection of opponents, who said the invitation legitimised his power grab.

Shortly afterwards, a spokesperson for the military government said it would only allow the envoy to visit after it had achieved security and stability in the country.

The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, saying her party's landslide victory in elections last November resulted from massive voter fraud. It has not produced credible evidence to back its claim.

Security forces have brutally suppressed widespread popular protests against the military takeover, firing live ammunition into crowds and carrying out waves of arrests. As of Friday, 845 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.

UN&nbsp;Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York highlighted the impact of violence on public health workers. He said there have been at least 212 reported attacks on patients, health workers, ambulances and health care facilities, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 51 injuries since the coup.

"Our colleagues on the ground stress that hospitals are, and must remain, a place of sanctuary and unequivocal neutrality so that patients can seek care and health professionals can provide care safely and without fear," he said.

The Jakarta summit also reached an agreement to immediately end the violence and start a dialogue between the contending parties with the help of the special envoy. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In the online news conference, Sa Sa also said the number of people's militias taking up arms against the military government is set to rise rapidly in response to what he called a 'reign of terror'.&nbsp;

"Many more forces will appear in the coming months," he said. "It will be out of control. That's why we say to the international community to help us to stop this coup. We need stability in Myanmar."&nbsp;

In recent weeks, civilian armed groups have appeared in several regions of the country, often using homemade weapons or old hunting rifles to engage the army and police, with some success. Some groups of pro-democracy activists have fled to the jungles to receive combat training from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results.

Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmar's junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress towards a solution but produced no tangible results. State broadcaster MRTV showed Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, but provided only a broad outline of their discussions. Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegation's purpose was to seek Myanmar's approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. He said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow. Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. The National Unity Government said at a rare online news conference that ASEAN should meet with them as well, not just the military. "Any discussions, any meeting about the future of the people of Myanmar must include the people of Myanmar, (their) voices must be heard," said spokesperson Sa Sa. The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed at the regional summit in Jakarta in April, which Min Aung Hlaing attended over the objection of opponents, who said the invitation legitimised his power grab. Shortly afterwards, a spokesperson for the military government said it would only allow the envoy to visit after it had achieved security and stability in the country. The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, saying her party's landslide victory in elections last November resulted from massive voter fraud. It has not produced credible evidence to back its claim. Security forces have brutally suppressed widespread popular protests against the military takeover, firing live ammunition into crowds and carrying out waves of arrests. As of Friday, 845 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York highlighted the impact of violence on public health workers. He said there have been at least 212 reported attacks on patients, health workers, ambulances and health care facilities, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 51 injuries since the coup. "Our colleagues on the ground stress that hospitals are, and must remain, a place of sanctuary and unequivocal neutrality so that patients can seek care and health professionals can provide care safely and without fear," he said. The Jakarta summit also reached an agreement to immediately end the violence and start a dialogue between the contending parties with the help of the special envoy. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In the online news conference, Sa Sa also said the number of people's militias taking up arms against the military government is set to rise rapidly in response to what he called a 'reign of terror'. "Many more forces will appear in the coming months," he said. "It will be out of control. That's why we say to the international community to help us to stop this coup. We need stability in Myanmar." In recent weeks, civilian armed groups have appeared in several regions of the country, often using homemade weapons or old hunting rifles to engage the army and police, with some success. Some groups of pro-democracy activists have fled to the jungles to receive combat training from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades. (With inputs from agencies)

ASEAN envoys meet Myanmar junta leader to press for dialogue

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian nations arrived in Myanmar Thursday for talks with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, as the coup-stricken nation enters its fifth month of crippling unrest.

Myanmar has been in chaos and its economy paralysed since the February coup and according to a local monitoring group more than 800 people have died as the military moved to crack down on dissent.

Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi arrived in the capital Naypwidaw late Thursday, a senior Myanmar official, who didn't want to be named, told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/schools-out-for-myanmar-students-defying-junta-threats-388771" hreflang="en">School's out for Myanmar students defying junta threats</a>

The envoys will meet Min Aung Hlaing on Friday morning, the official said, without providing further details.

The junta's information team told journalists on Thursday that they would shortly "release" more information on the meetings.

ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, but the bloc is not known for its diplomatic clout and observers have questioned how effectively it can influence events in the country.

While the EU and US have ramped up sanctions on Myanmar's generals, the regional bloc has struggled to form a united front.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-fails-to-quell-protests-four-months-after-coup-388725" hreflang="en">Myanmar military fails to quell protests four months after coup</a>

It was not immediately clear whether the ASEAN envoys would meet members of a shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers -- mostly from the NLD -- which has sought to bring anti-coup dissidents together.

The junta has classified members of the shadow government as "terrorists", meaning anyone speaking to them -- including journalists -- can be subjected to charges under counter-terrorism laws.

Speaking on state TV Thursday, Min Aung Hlaing repeated the accusation that the body was a "terrorist" group.

UN envoy still waiting

Min Aung Hlaing attended a meeting on the crisis with the leaders of the 10-country bloc in April -- his first overseas trip since he seized power.

Following the meeting -- which was closed to media -- leaders issued a "five-point consensus" statement that called for the "immediate cessation of violence" and a visit to Myanmar by a regional special envoy.

But the general said in a later television interview that Myanmar was not ready to adopt the plan and violence has continued across the country.

UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, was present on the sidelines of the April summit, but has yet to receive permission to travel to Myanmar.

She told reporters on Friday she had been told by the junta that now was "not the right time" for her to go to Myanmar.

The military has justified its power grab by citing alleged electoral fraud in the November poll, which was won by the NLD in a landslide.

Ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has only been seen in public once since the coup.

She has been hit with a string of criminal charges including flouting coronavirus restrictions during last year's election campaign and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies.

She vowed last month that her ousted NLD political party would "exist as long as the people exist."

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian nations arrived in Myanmar Thursday for talks with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, as the coup-stricken nation enters its fifth month of crippling unrest.

Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian nations arrived in Myanmar Thursday for talks with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, as the coup-stricken nation enters its fifth month of crippling unrest. Myanmar has been in chaos and its economy paralysed since the February coup and according to a local monitoring group more than 800 people have died as the military moved to crack down on dissent. Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi arrived in the capital Naypwidaw late Thursday, a senior Myanmar official, who didn't want to be named, told AFP. Also read | School's out for Myanmar students defying junta threats The envoys will meet Min Aung Hlaing on Friday morning, the official said, without providing further details. The junta's information team told journalists on Thursday that they would shortly "release" more information on the meetings. ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, but the bloc is not known for its diplomatic clout and observers have questioned how effectively it can influence events in the country. While the EU and US have ramped up sanctions on Myanmar's generals, the regional bloc has struggled to form a united front. Also read | Myanmar military fails to quell protests four months after coup It was not immediately clear whether the ASEAN envoys would meet members of a shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers -- mostly from the NLD -- which has sought to bring anti-coup dissidents together. The junta has classified members of the shadow government as "terrorists", meaning anyone speaking to them -- including journalists -- can be subjected to charges under counter-terrorism laws. Speaking on state TV Thursday, Min Aung Hlaing repeated the accusation that the body was a "terrorist" group. UN envoy still waiting Min Aung Hlaing attended a meeting on the crisis with the leaders of the 10-country bloc in April -- his first overseas trip since he seized power. Following the meeting -- which was closed to media -- leaders issued a "five-point consensus" statement that called for the "immediate cessation of violence" and a visit to Myanmar by a regional special envoy. But the general said in a later television interview that Myanmar was not ready to adopt the plan and violence has continued across the country. UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, was present on the sidelines of the April summit, but has yet to receive permission to travel to Myanmar. She told reporters on Friday she had been told by the junta that now was "not the right time" for her to go to Myanmar. The military has justified its power grab by citing alleged electoral fraud in the November poll, which was won by the NLD in a landslide. Ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has only been seen in public once since the coup. She has been hit with a string of criminal charges including flouting coronavirus restrictions during last year's election campaign and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies. She vowed last month that her ousted NLD political party would "exist as long as the people exist."

ASEAN envoys arrive in Myanmar for talks with junta chief

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance.

Four months of national turmoil have followed the February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 800 people killed by security forces and a nationwide strike crippling the economy.

Public school teachers, dressed in the green and white uniforms mandated by the education ministry, were prominent in the early mass protests, joining railway workers, doctors and civil servants on the streets.

The junta has insisted schools open on Tuesday after a year's absence due to Covid, but many educators had already decided they could not return to a job they love.

"I'm not afraid of their arrest and torture," Shwe Nadi, a teacher from the commercial capital Yangon told AFP. Her name has been changed for her safety.

"I'm afraid of becoming a teacher who teaches the students propaganda."

The 28-year-old was fired for supporting the civil disobedience movement, one of the thousands of teachers and academics the junta has sacked.

"Of course, I feel bad losing my job because I loved being a teacher. Although it is not well paid, we have our pride for being teachers as others respect us," she said.

Nu May, not her real name, in southern Mon state will also stay away, she told AFP.

The primary school teacher lost months of her salary after joining the nationwide boycott, but said "my soul is pure" because she participated in the strike.

"When I see how they have killed a lot of people, I feel I don't want to be their teacher any more," she added.

Some of those killed in the junta's crackdown were of primary school age, and charity group Save the Children said the dead include 15 children under the age of 16.

Junta-run media has in recent days carried pictures of functionaries watching school registrations and promising that parents will be 'satisfied' with the return of classes.

Students at a school near the capital Naypyidaw opened a setpiece ceremony to mark the new term by performing a "National Enrolment Week" song in front of the regime's education minister, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar state newspaper.

But at one high school in central Sagaing region, a slogan daubed in red paint across the front of the building urges staff members to stay away.

"We do not want the military slavery teachers," showed pictures carried by local media. "We do not want the teachers who are traitors."

University students were key drivers of political activism under nearly five decades of earlier military rulers, who violently suppressed any signs of public dissent.

Many students back then were killed, jailed or expelled, and universities were shuttered for several years.

Some university classes are already back in session, but boycotts have seen widespread absences on both sides of the teaching lectern.

"Not one of my friends is going," said an English major at a university in Mawlamyine, a city that saw brutal crackdowns by security forces against protesters.

"So I decided not to go too."

Her class of 100 is now empty, despite students being summoned by the few remaining professors on campus.

Protesters have discouraged parents and teachers from sending children to schools that still have teachers willing to work, saying it amounted to backing the military regime.

"Do not be sad when you cannot enrol your child at school when some parents have no children to enrol," read a banner in Bago region, south of the capital.

Teacher Shwe Nadi said she will remain committed to the civil disobedience movement, despite fears of being detained or worse.

"I won't run because I have not committed any crimes," she said.

"If they want to arrest me, I am prepared."

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance.

Schools in Myanmar will open on Tuesday for the first time since the military seized power, but teachers and students are set to defy the junta's calls for full classrooms in a show of resistance. Four months of national turmoil have followed the February ouster of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with more than 800 people killed by security forces and a nationwide strike crippling the economy. Public school teachers, dressed in the green and white uniforms mandated by the education ministry, were prominent in the early mass protests, joining railway workers, doctors and civil servants on the streets. The junta has insisted schools open on Tuesday after a year's absence due to Covid, but many educators had already decided they could not return to a job they love. "I'm not afraid of their arrest and torture," Shwe Nadi, a teacher from the commercial capital Yangon told AFP. Her name has been changed for her safety. "I'm afraid of becoming a teacher who teaches the students propaganda." The 28-year-old was fired for supporting the civil disobedience movement, one of the thousands of teachers and academics the junta has sacked. "Of course, I feel bad losing my job because I loved being a teacher. Although it is not well paid, we have our pride for being teachers as others respect us," she said. Nu May, not her real name, in southern Mon state will also stay away, she told AFP. The primary school teacher lost months of her salary after joining the nationwide boycott, but said "my soul is pure" because she participated in the strike. "When I see how they have killed a lot of people, I feel I don't want to be their teacher any more," she added. Some of those killed in the junta's crackdown were of primary school age, and charity group Save the Children said the dead include 15 children under the age of 16. Junta-run media has in recent days carried pictures of functionaries watching school registrations and promising that parents will be 'satisfied' with the return of classes. Students at a school near the capital Naypyidaw opened a setpiece ceremony to mark the new term by performing a "National Enrolment Week" song in front of the regime's education minister, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar state newspaper. But at one high school in central Sagaing region, a slogan daubed in red paint across the front of the building urges staff members to stay away. "We do not want the military slavery teachers," showed pictures carried by local media. "We do not want the teachers who are traitors." University students were key drivers of political activism under nearly five decades of earlier military rulers, who violently suppressed any signs of public dissent. Many students back then were killed, jailed or expelled, and universities were shuttered for several years. Some university classes are already back in session, but boycotts have seen widespread absences on both sides of the teaching lectern. "Not one of my friends is going," said an English major at a university in Mawlamyine, a city that saw brutal crackdowns by security forces against protesters. "So I decided not to go too." Her class of 100 is now empty, despite students being summoned by the few remaining professors on campus. Protesters have discouraged parents and teachers from sending children to schools that still have teachers willing to work, saying it amounted to backing the military regime. "Do not be sad when you cannot enrol your child at school when some parents have no children to enrol," read a banner in Bago region, south of the capital. Teacher Shwe Nadi said she will remain committed to the civil disobedience movement, despite fears of being detained or worse. "I won't run because I have not committed any crimes," she said. "If they want to arrest me, I am prepared."

School's out for Myanmar students defying junta threats

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court in person on Monday for the first time since the military arrested her when it seized power on February 1, Myanmar media reported.&nbsp;

One of her lawyers, Min Min Soe, told The Associated Press by phone that Suu Kyi was able to meet with her defence team before her hearing began at a special court set up inside the city council building in Naypyitaw, the capital. The hearing's purpose was procedural.&nbsp;

The lawyers also met with Win Myint, who was president in the government that Suu Kyi led as state counsellor, and a defendant on some of the same charges she faces.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi had been charged with several criminal offenses, but her only previous court appearances had been by video link, and she had not been allowed to meet in person with any of her lawyers.&nbsp;

Min Min Soe said Suu Kyi had a message for Myanmar's people to the effect that her National League for Democracy party would stand by them.&nbsp;

"The main thing (she said) is that she always wishes good health and well-being for all the people, and she also said that since the NLD was founded for the people, the NLD will exist as long as the people exist," said Min Min Soe said after the hearing.&nbsp;

"She looks fresh, healthy and full of confidence," she added.&nbsp;

Monday's hearing concerned several of the six charges Suu Kyi faces.&nbsp;

These are two counts of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign; illegally importing walkie-talkies that were for her bodyguards' use; unlicensed use of the radios; and spreading information that could cause public alarm or unrest.&nbsp;

The most serious charge that Suu Kyi faces is breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years' imprisonment, but that is being handled by a separate court.&nbsp;

Suu Kyi's supporters say the proceedings against her are politically motivated and meant to try to legitimise the military's seizure of power and discredit her. If convicted of any of the offences, she could be banned from running in the election that the junta has said it will hold within one or two years of its takeover.&nbsp;

The military ousted Suu Kyi's government less than three months after her National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in a general election that would have given it a second five-year term in office. Before the start of democratic reforms a decade ago, Myanmar was ruled by the military for 50 years.&nbsp;

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court in person on Monday for the first time since the military arrested her when it seized power on February 1, Myanmar media reported.

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court in person on Monday for the first time since the military arrested her when it seized power on February 1, Myanmar media reported. One of her lawyers, Min Min Soe, told The Associated Press by phone that Suu Kyi was able to meet with her defence team before her hearing began at a special court set up inside the city council building in Naypyitaw, the capital. The hearing's purpose was procedural. The lawyers also met with Win Myint, who was president in the government that Suu Kyi led as state counsellor, and a defendant on some of the same charges she faces. Suu Kyi had been charged with several criminal offenses, but her only previous court appearances had been by video link, and she had not been allowed to meet in person with any of her lawyers. Min Min Soe said Suu Kyi had a message for Myanmar's people to the effect that her National League for Democracy party would stand by them. "The main thing (she said) is that she always wishes good health and well-being for all the people, and she also said that since the NLD was founded for the people, the NLD will exist as long as the people exist," said Min Min Soe said after the hearing. "She looks fresh, healthy and full of confidence," she added. Monday's hearing concerned several of the six charges Suu Kyi faces. These are two counts of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign; illegally importing walkie-talkies that were for her bodyguards' use; unlicensed use of the radios; and spreading information that could cause public alarm or unrest. The most serious charge that Suu Kyi faces is breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years' imprisonment, but that is being handled by a separate court. Suu Kyi's supporters say the proceedings against her are politically motivated and meant to try to legitimise the military's seizure of power and discredit her. If convicted of any of the offences, she could be banned from running in the election that the junta has said it will hold within one or two years of its takeover. The military ousted Suu Kyi's government less than three months after her National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in a general election that would have given it a second five-year term in office. Before the start of democratic reforms a decade ago, Myanmar was ruled by the military for 50 years.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi makes first in-person court appearance, says party will exist as long as people exist 

Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in his first interview since the February 1 coup said that the country’s deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi would soon appear in court.

Myanmar Junta Chief: Suu Kyi in good health, will appear soon

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy.&nbsp;

Myanmar's military seized power in a February 1 coup, derailing the country's tentative progress towards full democracy and triggering protests that have been met with a bloody crackdown. &nbsp;

Francis, who visited the Southeast Asian country in 2017, has repeatedly denounced the coup and on Sunday held a special service for the Myanmar faithful in St Peter's Basilica.&nbsp;

"Your beloved country of Myanmar is experiencing violence, conflict and repression," the pope said in a toughly worded homily, urging the congregation to draw inspiration from the final hours of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.&nbsp;

"He does not resign himself to evil, he does not let himself be overwhelmed by grief, he does not retreat into the bitterness of the defeated and disappointed," he said.&nbsp;

Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country and is home to fewer than 800,000 Roman Catholics.&nbsp;

Francis, who has been one of the most outspoken global leaders on the Myanmar crisis, said people should not lose their faith or hope "even in the dark night of grief, even when evil seems to have the upper hand".&nbsp;

He also urged the people of Myanmar not to yield to "the logic of hatred and vengeance", nor to compromise their values. Unity was vital, he said.&nbsp;

Since grabbing power, the junta has struggled to govern. Protests, strikes and a civil disobedience campaign have crippled businesses and the bureaucracy, while an armed resistance has also taken hold in the northwest of the country.&nbsp;

The military has said its takeover was aimed at protecting democracy after a November election that it said was marred by fraud. The electoral commission rejected the military's claims of irregularities.&nbsp;

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy.

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy. Myanmar's military seized power in a February 1 coup, derailing the country's tentative progress towards full democracy and triggering protests that have been met with a bloody crackdown. Francis, who visited the Southeast Asian country in 2017, has repeatedly denounced the coup and on Sunday held a special service for the Myanmar faithful in St Peter's Basilica. "Your beloved country of Myanmar is experiencing violence, conflict and repression," the pope said in a toughly worded homily, urging the congregation to draw inspiration from the final hours of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. "He does not resign himself to evil, he does not let himself be overwhelmed by grief, he does not retreat into the bitterness of the defeated and disappointed," he said. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country and is home to fewer than 800,000 Roman Catholics. Francis, who has been one of the most outspoken global leaders on the Myanmar crisis, said people should not lose their faith or hope "even in the dark night of grief, even when evil seems to have the upper hand". He also urged the people of Myanmar not to yield to "the logic of hatred and vengeance", nor to compromise their values. Unity was vital, he said. Since grabbing power, the junta has struggled to govern. Protests, strikes and a civil disobedience campaign have crippled businesses and the bureaucracy, while an armed resistance has also taken hold in the northwest of the country. The military has said its takeover was aimed at protecting democracy after a November election that it said was marred by fraud. The electoral commission rejected the military's claims of irregularities.

Do not give in to evil and division, Pope tells Myanmar community 

More than 11,000 academics and other university staff opposed to Myanmar's ruling junta have been suspended after going on strike in protest against military rule, a teachers' group said.&nbsp;

The suspensions come as the resumption of universities after a year closed due to the coronavirus epidemic prompts a new confrontation between the army and the staff and students, who are calling for boycotts over the February 1 coup.&nbsp;

"I feel upset to give up a job that I adored so much, but I feel proud to stand against injustice," said one 37-year-old university rector, who gave her name only as Thandar for fear of reprisals.&nbsp;

"My department summoned me today. I'm not going. We shouldn't follow the orders of the military council."&nbsp;

A professor on a fellowship in the United States said she was told she would have to declare opposition to the strikes or lose her job. Her university authorities had told her every scholar would be tracked down and forced to choose, she said.&nbsp;

As of Monday, more than 11,100 academic and other staff had been suspended from colleges and universities offering degrees, an official of the Myanmar Teachers` Federation said, declining to be identified for fear of reprisals.&nbsp;

According to the most recent World Bank data, Myanmar had more than 26,000 teachers in universities and other tertiary education institutions in 2018.&nbsp;

Students and teachers were at the forefront of opposition during nearly half a century of military rule and have been prominent in the protests since the army detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and halted a decade of tentative democratic reforms.&nbsp;

Many teachers, like medics and other government workers, have stopped work as part of a civil disobedience movement that has paralysed Myanmar. As protests flared after the coup, security forces occupied campuses in the biggest city, Yangon, and elsewhere.&nbsp;

A spokesman for the junta did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on the suspensions.&nbsp;

The junta-controlled Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said teachers and students should cooperate to get the education system started again.&nbsp;

"Political opportunists do not wish to see such development by committing sabotage acts," it said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

More than 11,000 academics and other university staff opposed to Myanmar's ruling junta have been suspended after going on strike in protest against military rule, a teachers' group said.

More than 11,000 academics and other university staff opposed to Myanmar's ruling junta have been suspended after going on strike in protest against military rule, a teachers' group said. The suspensions come as the resumption of universities after a year closed due to the coronavirus epidemic prompts a new confrontation between the army and the staff and students, who are calling for boycotts over the February 1 coup. "I feel upset to give up a job that I adored so much, but I feel proud to stand against injustice," said one 37-year-old university rector, who gave her name only as Thandar for fear of reprisals. "My department summoned me today. I'm not going. We shouldn't follow the orders of the military council." A professor on a fellowship in the United States said she was told she would have to declare opposition to the strikes or lose her job. Her university authorities had told her every scholar would be tracked down and forced to choose, she said. As of Monday, more than 11,100 academic and other staff had been suspended from colleges and universities offering degrees, an official of the Myanmar Teachers` Federation said, declining to be identified for fear of reprisals. According to the most recent World Bank data, Myanmar had more than 26,000 teachers in universities and other tertiary education institutions in 2018. Students and teachers were at the forefront of opposition during nearly half a century of military rule and have been prominent in the protests since the army detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and halted a decade of tentative democratic reforms. Many teachers, like medics and other government workers, have stopped work as part of a civil disobedience movement that has paralysed Myanmar. As protests flared after the coup, security forces occupied campuses in the biggest city, Yangon, and elsewhere. A spokesman for the junta did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on the suspensions. The junta-controlled Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said teachers and students should cooperate to get the education system started again. "Political opportunists do not wish to see such development by committing sabotage acts," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands suspended at Myanmar universities as junta targets education 

Myanmar's junta has labeled a shadow government of lawmakers and politicians ousted in a February coup and a people's defence force that is being set up to confront security forces as terrorist groups. &nbsp;

The government of national unity was established by elected legislators, who were barred from taking their seats when the military seized power and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others. &nbsp;

The junta has previously accused them of treason, and the announcement on state TV on Saturday said they were being branded terrorists because of their participation in a civil disobedience movement, a popular revolt against the military takeover that has seen people taking to the streets daily despite the lethal use of force by authorities. &nbsp;

More than 700 protesters and bystanders have been killed by security forces since the February 1 coup, according to several detailed estimates. The junta has said the death toll is about one-third of that, and that the use of lethal force was justified to end what it called rioting.&nbsp;

Last week, the shadow government announced the formation of 'People's Defense Force’, which would serve as a precursor to a ‘Federal Union Army' of democratic forces including ethnic minorities. &nbsp;

The National Unity Government has the backing of several major ethnic minority groups, who for decades have been seeking greater autonomy and who maintain their own guerrilla forces. The two most important are the Kachin in the north and the Karen in the east, both of which are actively engaged in combat with the government's military forces.&nbsp;

Since the coup and crackdown on opponents, students and factory workers have fled to territory controlled by the ethnic guerrilla forces to take military training. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta has labeled a shadow government of lawmakers and politicians ousted in a February coup and a people's defence force that is being set up to confront security forces as terrorist groups.

Myanmar's junta has labeled a shadow government of lawmakers and politicians ousted in a February coup and a people's defence force that is being set up to confront security forces as terrorist groups. The government of national unity was established by elected legislators, who were barred from taking their seats when the military seized power and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others. The junta has previously accused them of treason, and the announcement on state TV on Saturday said they were being branded terrorists because of their participation in a civil disobedience movement, a popular revolt against the military takeover that has seen people taking to the streets daily despite the lethal use of force by authorities. More than 700 protesters and bystanders have been killed by security forces since the February 1 coup, according to several detailed estimates. The junta has said the death toll is about one-third of that, and that the use of lethal force was justified to end what it called rioting. Last week, the shadow government announced the formation of 'People's Defense Force’, which would serve as a precursor to a ‘Federal Union Army' of democratic forces including ethnic minorities. The National Unity Government has the backing of several major ethnic minority groups, who for decades have been seeking greater autonomy and who maintain their own guerrilla forces. The two most important are the Kachin in the north and the Karen in the east, both of which are actively engaged in combat with the government's military forces. Since the coup and crackdown on opponents, students and factory workers have fled to territory controlled by the ethnic guerrilla forces to take military training. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta brands ousted lawmakers as 'terrorists' 

Since Myanmar's military ordered telecoms operators to shut their networks in an effort to end protests against its February coup, Telenor's business there has been in limbo.

As one of the few Western companies to bet on the South East Asian country after it emerged from military dictatorship a decade ago, the return to army rule led to a $783 million write-off this week for Norway's Telenor.

The Norwegian state-controlled firm, one of the biggest foreign investors in Myanmar, must now decide whether to ride out the turmoil or withdraw from a market that last year contributed 7 per cent of its earnings.

"We are facing many dilemmas," Telenor Chief Executive Sigve Brekke told Reuters this week, highlighting the stark problems facing international firms under increased scrutiny over their exposure in Myanmar, where hundreds have been killed in protests against the Feb. 1 coup.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/millions-face-hunger-as-myanmar-crisis-worsens-says-united-nations-379184">Millions face hunger as Myanmar crisis worsens, says United Nations</a>

While Telenor plans to stay, for now, the future is uncertain, Brekke said in a video interview.

Although Telenor had won praise for supporting what at the time was a fledgeling democracy, activist groups have long voiced concerns about business ties to the military, which have intensified since the army retook control of the country.

Chris Sidoti, a United Nations expert on Myanmar, said Telenor should avoid payments such as taxes or licence fees that could fund the military directly or indirectly, and that if it cannot be independently determined that Telenor is "doing more good than harm" in Myanmar, then it should withdraw.

However, Espen Barth Eide, who was Norway's foreign minister at the time Telenor gained a licence in Myanmar in 2013, told Reuters that Telenor should stay and use its position as a well-established foreign firm to be a vocal critic of the military.

A spokeswoman for Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which represents the Norwegian government as a shareholder, said on Thursday that "under the current circumstances Telenor faces several dilemmas in Myanmar".

"From a corporate governance perspective the investment in Myanmar is a responsibility of the company's Board and Management. Within this framework the Ministry as a shareholder keep a good dialogue with Telenor regarding the situation," the spokeswoman added in an emailed response to Reuters.

The Myanmar junta, which has said it seized power because its repeated complaints of fraud in last year's election were ignored by the election commission, has blamed protesters and the former ruling party for instigating violence.

And it said on March 23 that it had no plans to lift network restrictions. It has not commented on the curbs since and did not answer Reuters calls on Thursday.

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New market

Telenor is no stranger to operating under military rule in both&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;and Thailand, where it challenged the Thai junta over what it said was an order to block social media access.

At around the same time, Telenor was signing up its first customers in Myanmar.

Its then-CEO, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, told Reuters that Telenor had thought "a lot" about the risk that Myanmar's experiment with democracy might not last.

"But we argued at that time that, when we get in a western company that delivers telecommunication in a country, we stand also with some responsibility, and a bit of a guarantee that things are done correctly," Baksaas said.

Its position had support internationally at the time after Barack Obama became the first US&nbsp;President to visit Myanmar in 2012, the year after a military junta was officially dissolved and a quasi-civilian government installed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-may-target-free-speech-in-effort-to-stifle-protests-363394">Myanmar may target free speech in effort to stifle protests</a>

For its part, the Norwegian government, which owns a majority of Telenor, had long supported democracy in Myanmar, hosting radio and TV stations reporting on it under military rule.

And in 1991, the Norwegian Nobel Committee gave the Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest in Myanmar before leading a civilian government which retained power in last year's election.

Suu Kyi was detained after the coup and charged with offences that her lawyers say are trumped up.

While Norway was supportive of Telenor's Myanmar venture, the government also warned of the risks, Barth Eide, Norway's foreign minister at the time, said.

"We told them that it's a complicated country which had a harsh military dictatorship. Telenor was very much aware of it ... It's not like they were novices," he added.

Telenor was one of two foreign operators granted licences in 2013, alongside Qatar's Ooredoo. The other operators in Myanmar are state-backed MPT and Mytel, which is part-owned by a military-linked company.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-protesters-march-three-months-after-coup-un-warns-of-standstill-381881">Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill'</a>

About 95 per cent&nbsp;of Telenor's 187 million customers worldwide are in Asia and it has around 18 million customers in Myanmar, serving a third of its 54 million population.

'No direct links'

For Telenor, doing business in Myanmar had its challenges, including trying to avoid commercial ties to the military.

Former CEO Baksaas said for the first couple of weeks after it began operations in Myanmar, staff had to sit on the office floor because Telenor refused to pay bribes to customs officials for furniture which it had imported.

He also said they had to navigate corruption risks when acquiring land to build mobile towers.

Then there was dealing with the military, whose economic interests range from land to firms involved in mining and banking. The military has faced allegations of human rights abuses including persecuting minorities and violently suppressing protests going back decades. It has repeatedly denied such allegations.

Activist group Justice for Myanmar said in a 2020 report that Telenor had shown "an alarming failure" in its human rights due diligence over a deal struck in 2015 to build mobile towers that involved a military contractor.

Another report by the United Nations in 2019 said Telenor was renting offices in a building built on military-owned land.

The report said firms in Myanmar should end all ties with the military due to human rights abuses.

A Telenor spokesperson said in an email on April 9 responding to Reuters questions that it had addressed the matter of the 2015 deal, without elaborating, and that its choice of office was "the only viable option" given factors like safety.

"Telenor Myanmar has been focused on having minimal exposure to the military and have no direct links to military-controlled entities," the spokesperson said.

Since the coup, Telenor has cut ties with three suppliers after finding links to the military, the spokesperson added.

Balancing act

On the day of the coup, the military ordered Telenor and other operators to shut down networks. Telenor criticised the move but complied. Services were allowed to resume but there have been intermittent requests to close since, and the mobile internet has been shut since March 15.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/internet-access-restored-as-myanmar-coup-protests-grow-361966">Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow</a>

Ooredoo has also said it "regretfully complied" with directives to restrict mobile and wireless broadband in Myanmar, which hit its first quarter earnings. It declined further comment on the outlook for its Myanmar business.

Like other operators, Telenor paid license fees to the now military-controlled government in March, which critics argue may help it finance repression of public protest.

Telenor said in the emailed response to Reuters that it made the payment "under strong protest against recent developments".

One of its major shareholders, Norway's KLP, said it had been in a dialogue with Telenor after the coup to ensure it was identifying the human rights risks.

"It is a challenging situation because Telenor cannot choose what it can and can't do. They get their directives from the authorities," said Kiran Aziz, senior analyst for responsible investments at KLP. "It is difficult to assess how positive Telenor's contribution can be in this context."

Weighing up human rights is just one of the dilemmas Telenor now faces, said CEO Brekke, alongside safely serving its customers and maintaining network access for them.

"We work on that balance every single day," he said.

And although that balance, for now, is tilted to Telenor staying in the country, it is not a given.

"We make a difference like we have done since we arrived. But with the situation being this unpredictable, it is impossible in many ways to speculate about the future and how this will develop," Brekke added.

Since Myanmar's military ordered telecoms operators to shut their networks in an effort to end protests against its February coup, Telenor's business there has been in limbo.

Since Myanmar's military ordered telecoms operators to shut their networks in an effort to end protests against its February coup, Telenor's business there has been in limbo. As one of the few Western companies to bet on the South East Asian country after it emerged from military dictatorship a decade ago, the return to army rule led to a $783 million write-off this week for Norway's Telenor. The Norwegian state-controlled firm, one of the biggest foreign investors in Myanmar, must now decide whether to ride out the turmoil or withdraw from a market that last year contributed 7 per cent of its earnings. "We are facing many dilemmas," Telenor Chief Executive Sigve Brekke told Reuters this week, highlighting the stark problems facing international firms under increased scrutiny over their exposure in Myanmar, where hundreds have been killed in protests against the Feb. 1 coup. Also read | Millions face hunger as Myanmar crisis worsens, says United Nations While Telenor plans to stay, for now, the future is uncertain, Brekke said in a video interview. Although Telenor had won praise for supporting what at the time was a fledgeling democracy, activist groups have long voiced concerns about business ties to the military, which have intensified since the army retook control of the country. Chris Sidoti, a United Nations expert on Myanmar, said Telenor should avoid payments such as taxes or licence fees that could fund the military directly or indirectly, and that if it cannot be independently determined that Telenor is "doing more good than harm" in Myanmar, then it should withdraw. However, Espen Barth Eide, who was Norway's foreign minister at the time Telenor gained a licence in Myanmar in 2013, told Reuters that Telenor should stay and use its position as a well-established foreign firm to be a vocal critic of the military. A spokeswoman for Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which represents the Norwegian government as a shareholder, said on Thursday that "under the current circumstances Telenor faces several dilemmas in Myanmar". "From a corporate governance perspective the investment in Myanmar is a responsibility of the company's Board and Management. Within this framework the Ministry as a shareholder keep a good dialogue with Telenor regarding the situation," the spokeswoman added in an emailed response to Reuters. The Myanmar junta, which has said it seized power because its repeated complaints of fraud in last year's election were ignored by the election commission, has blamed protesters and the former ruling party for instigating violence. And it said on March 23 that it had no plans to lift network restrictions. It has not commented on the curbs since and did not answer Reuters calls on Thursday. New market Telenor is no stranger to operating under military rule in both Pakistan and Thailand, where it challenged the Thai junta over what it said was an order to block social media access. At around the same time, Telenor was signing up its first customers in Myanmar. Its then-CEO, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, told Reuters that Telenor had thought "a lot" about the risk that Myanmar's experiment with democracy might not last. "But we argued at that time that, when we get in a western company that delivers telecommunication in a country, we stand also with some responsibility, and a bit of a guarantee that things are done correctly," Baksaas said. Its position had support internationally at the time after Barack Obama became the first US President to visit Myanmar in 2012, the year after a military junta was officially dissolved and a quasi-civilian government installed. Also read | Myanmar may target free speech in effort to stifle protests For its part, the Norwegian government, which owns a majority of Telenor, had long supported democracy in Myanmar, hosting radio and TV stations reporting on it under military rule. And in 1991, the Norwegian Nobel Committee gave the Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest in Myanmar before leading a civilian government which retained power in last year's election. Suu Kyi was detained after the coup and charged with offences that her lawyers say are trumped up. While Norway was supportive of Telenor's Myanmar venture, the government also warned of the risks, Barth Eide, Norway's foreign minister at the time, said. "We told them that it's a complicated country which had a harsh military dictatorship. Telenor was very much aware of it ... It's not like they were novices," he added. Telenor was one of two foreign operators granted licences in 2013, alongside Qatar's Ooredoo. The other operators in Myanmar are state-backed MPT and Mytel, which is part-owned by a military-linked company. Also read | Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill' About 95 per cent of Telenor's 187 million customers worldwide are in Asia and it has around 18 million customers in Myanmar, serving a third of its 54 million population. 'No direct links' For Telenor, doing business in Myanmar had its challenges, including trying to avoid commercial ties to the military. Former CEO Baksaas said for the first couple of weeks after it began operations in Myanmar, staff had to sit on the office floor because Telenor refused to pay bribes to customs officials for furniture which it had imported. He also said they had to navigate corruption risks when acquiring land to build mobile towers. Then there was dealing with the military, whose economic interests range from land to firms involved in mining and banking. The military has faced allegations of human rights abuses including persecuting minorities and violently suppressing protests going back decades. It has repeatedly denied such allegations. Activist group Justice for Myanmar said in a 2020 report that Telenor had shown "an alarming failure" in its human rights due diligence over a deal struck in 2015 to build mobile towers that involved a military contractor. Another report by the United Nations in 2019 said Telenor was renting offices in a building built on military-owned land. The report said firms in Myanmar should end all ties with the military due to human rights abuses. A Telenor spokesperson said in an email on April 9 responding to Reuters questions that it had addressed the matter of the 2015 deal, without elaborating, and that its choice of office was "the only viable option" given factors like safety. "Telenor Myanmar has been focused on having minimal exposure to the military and have no direct links to military-controlled entities," the spokesperson said. Since the coup, Telenor has cut ties with three suppliers after finding links to the military, the spokesperson added. Balancing act On the day of the coup, the military ordered Telenor and other operators to shut down networks. Telenor criticised the move but complied. Services were allowed to resume but there have been intermittent requests to close since, and the mobile internet has been shut since March 15. Also read | Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow Ooredoo has also said it "regretfully complied" with directives to restrict mobile and wireless broadband in Myanmar, which hit its first quarter earnings. It declined further comment on the outlook for its Myanmar business. Like other operators, Telenor paid license fees to the now military-controlled government in March, which critics argue may help it finance repression of public protest. Telenor said in the emailed response to Reuters that it made the payment "under strong protest against recent developments". One of its major shareholders, Norway's KLP, said it had been in a dialogue with Telenor after the coup to ensure it was identifying the human rights risks. "It is a challenging situation because Telenor cannot choose what it can and can't do. They get their directives from the authorities," said Kiran Aziz, senior analyst for responsible investments at KLP. "It is difficult to assess how positive Telenor's contribution can be in this context." Weighing up human rights is just one of the dilemmas Telenor now faces, said CEO Brekke, alongside safely serving its customers and maintaining network access for them. "We work on that balance every single day," he said. And although that balance, for now, is tilted to Telenor staying in the country, it is not a given. "We make a difference like we have done since we arrived. But with the situation being this unpredictable, it is impossible in many ways to speculate about the future and how this will develop," Brekke added.

Military coup puts Telenor's future in Myanmar on the line

Explosions rocked Myanmar's largest city Yangon on Saturday as protesters held flash marches for democracy, defying a brutal junta that has held onto power for three bloody months.&nbsp;

The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, bringing an abrupt end to Myanmar's short-lived experiment with democracy.

The power grab triggered a massive uprising that authorities have tried to quell with lethal force and live ammunition.

As Myanmar entered its fourth month under military rule on Saturday, protesters in commercial hub Yangon, an epicentre of unrest with a heavy security presence, staged flash demonstrations, marching rapidly through the streets to avoid confrontation with police and soldiers.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-protesters-march-three-months-after-coup-un-warns-of-standstill-381881">Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill'</a>

The lightning-quick pace of the protests is "so that people will have time to disappear when the security forces come, or else they would die or get arrested", said student activist Min Han Htet.

In Yangon's Insein township, a bomb blast went off around 10 am near a local school, said a resident staying nearby.

"Some security forces came to check the blast area, but I only watched from a distance from my home because I was worried they would arrest me," he told AFP.&nbsp;

By afternoon, two more blasts went off in Yankin, further south, according to residents of the leafy residential township.&nbsp;

"I thought it was thunder," a resident told AFP, adding that the explosions left the security forces nervous.

The state-run evening news said a woman was wounded in the Yankin blasts, which it blamed on "instigators".

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombings that are taking place with increasing frequency in Yangon.

They made people live in fear'&nbsp;

The former capital has utterly transformed since the junta seized power on February 1, with barricades erected in key protest hotspots, security forces on patrol, and residents reporting nighttime arrests of suspected dissidents.&nbsp;

"They (the junta) have made people live in fear and it is good to have them on edge as&nbsp;well," the Yankin resident said.

He also praised the flash protesters for their ingenuity in evading arrest and crackdowns.&nbsp;

"Any show of defiance without getting captured or killed is great for the resistance."

Across the country, nearly 760 civilians have been killed in the anti-coup unrest, according to a local monitoring group, though the junta has recorded a far lower death toll.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-security-council-calls-for-asean-myanmar-plan-to-be-enacted-381985">UN Security Council calls for ASEAN Myanmar plan to be enacted</a>

But the democracy movement remains undeterred, with demonstrators gathering Saturday in central Monywa city,&nbsp;a flashpoint for violence&nbsp;carrying signs that said,&nbsp;"Monywa cannot be ruled".&nbsp;

In southern Dawei, protesters waved the signature red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, and carried signs that said, "We want democracy".&nbsp;

Wanted posters of junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing were also pasted around town, calling him a "power addict".&nbsp;

He has continuously justified the putsch as necessary to protect democracy, alleging fraud in November's election which Suu Kyi's party won in a landslide.&nbsp;

Rebels fighting&nbsp;

The unceasing violence against protesters has drawn the ire of some of Myanmar's myriad ethnic armies, many of which have been battling the military for decades in border regions.

Several have condemned the military and come out in support of the anti-junta movement, offering shelter to fleeing activists in the territory they control.

Clashes between the military and the Karen National Union (KNU), one of the leading rebel groups, have escalated since the coup.

The KNU has seized and razed military posts and the junta has responded with repeated airstrikes in the rebels' Karen state heartland, the latest taking place right after midnight Saturday.&nbsp;

The targeted area is right next to Thailand's northern Mae Hong Son province, and displaced residents have fled across the Salween River, which demarcates the border.

"Myanmar soldiers used a fighter aircraft to launch an air strike operation, firing two rockets and artilleries" around 12:48 am, said a statement released by Mae Hong Son's governor Sithichai Jindaluang.&nbsp;

He added that more than 2,300 Myanmar nationals have crossed into Thailand.&nbsp;

Media and local Karen aid groups were blocked access to the refugees, with authorities citing the spread of Covid-19 as a reason,&nbsp;stopping to check the temperatures of locals returning home.

Violence has also flared in Myanmar's northern Kachin state between the Kachin Independence Army and the military, which launched airstrikes in Momauk township Friday.&nbsp;

Saturday saw fresh artillery shelling hit two small towns, according to a humanitarian worker, who said residents were fearful about the fighting getting closer.

Explosions rocked Myanmar's largest city Yangon on Saturday as protesters held flash marches for democracy, defying a brutal junta that has held onto power for three bloody months.

Explosions rocked Myanmar's largest city Yangon on Saturday as protesters held flash marches for democracy, defying a brutal junta that has held onto power for three bloody months. The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, bringing an abrupt end to Myanmar's short-lived experiment with democracy. The power grab triggered a massive uprising that authorities have tried to quell with lethal force and live ammunition. As Myanmar entered its fourth month under military rule on Saturday, protesters in commercial hub Yangon, an epicentre of unrest with a heavy security presence, staged flash demonstrations, marching rapidly through the streets to avoid confrontation with police and soldiers. Also read | Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill' The lightning-quick pace of the protests is "so that people will have time to disappear when the security forces come, or else they would die or get arrested", said student activist Min Han Htet. In Yangon's Insein township, a bomb blast went off around 10 am near a local school, said a resident staying nearby. "Some security forces came to check the blast area, but I only watched from a distance from my home because I was worried they would arrest me," he told AFP. By afternoon, two more blasts went off in Yankin, further south, according to residents of the leafy residential township. "I thought it was thunder," a resident told AFP, adding that the explosions left the security forces nervous. The state-run evening news said a woman was wounded in the Yankin blasts, which it blamed on "instigators". No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombings that are taking place with increasing frequency in Yangon. They made people live in fear' The former capital has utterly transformed since the junta seized power on February 1, with barricades erected in key protest hotspots, security forces on patrol, and residents reporting nighttime arrests of suspected dissidents. "They (the junta) have made people live in fear and it is good to have them on edge as well," the Yankin resident said. He also praised the flash protesters for their ingenuity in evading arrest and crackdowns. "Any show of defiance without getting captured or killed is great for the resistance." Across the country, nearly 760 civilians have been killed in the anti-coup unrest, according to a local monitoring group, though the junta has recorded a far lower death toll. Also read | UN Security Council calls for ASEAN Myanmar plan to be enacted But the democracy movement remains undeterred, with demonstrators gathering Saturday in central Monywa city, a flashpoint for violence carrying signs that said, "Monywa cannot be ruled". In southern Dawei, protesters waved the signature red flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, and carried signs that said, "We want democracy". Wanted posters of junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing were also pasted around town, calling him a "power addict". He has continuously justified the putsch as necessary to protect democracy, alleging fraud in November's election which Suu Kyi's party won in a landslide. Rebels fighting The unceasing violence against protesters has drawn the ire of some of Myanmar's myriad ethnic armies, many of which have been battling the military for decades in border regions. Several have condemned the military and come out in support of the anti-junta movement, offering shelter to fleeing activists in the territory they control. Clashes between the military and the Karen National Union (KNU), one of the leading rebel groups, have escalated since the coup. The KNU has seized and razed military posts and the junta has responded with repeated airstrikes in the rebels' Karen state heartland, the latest taking place right after midnight Saturday. The targeted area is right next to Thailand's northern Mae Hong Son province, and displaced residents have fled across the Salween River, which demarcates the border. "Myanmar soldiers used a fighter aircraft to launch an air strike operation, firing two rockets and artilleries" around 12:48 am, said a statement released by Mae Hong Son's governor Sithichai Jindaluang. He added that more than 2,300 Myanmar nationals have crossed into Thailand. Media and local Karen aid groups were blocked access to the refugees, with authorities citing the spread of Covid-19 as a reason, stopping to check the temperatures of locals returning home. Violence has also flared in Myanmar's northern Kachin state between the Kachin Independence Army and the military, which launched airstrikes in Momauk township Friday. Saturday saw fresh artillery shelling hit two small towns, according to a humanitarian worker, who said residents were fearful about the fighting getting closer.

Bomb blasts, flash protests as Myanmar enters fourth month under junta

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with&nbsp;Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by&nbsp;Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

"We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop."

ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement&nbsp;erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners.

"He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said.

According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to&nbsp;Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.

"He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters.

"He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance."

But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done".

It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points.

There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing.

A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in&nbsp;Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future".

Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of&nbsp;Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence.

"ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said.

'RESTORE DEMOCRACY'

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in&nbsp;Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members.

Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises.

"We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG.

It was unusual for the leader of a military government in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian.

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly.

"We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters. "It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. "We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop." ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners. "He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said. According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release. "He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance." But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done". It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points. There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing. A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said Myanmar would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future". Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence. "ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said. 'RESTORE DEMOCRACY' The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises. "We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG. It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian. The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly. "We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

SE Asian nations say consensus reached on ending Myanmar crisis

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance.&nbsp;

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). &nbsp;

ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, who monitors say have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement emerged to challenge his February 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. They had also wanted the release of political prisoners.&nbsp;

"It's good that he did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said of the general, who was at the meeting with the other leaders.&nbsp;

According to a statement from Brunei, the chair of the group, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. &nbsp;

"He said he heard us, he would take the points in, which he considered helpful," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the junta chief, according to Channel NewsAsia television. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance."&nbsp;

But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because there's one thing to say you'll cease violence and release political prisoners; it's another thing to get it done."&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing.&nbsp;

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN.&nbsp;

The bloc has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members.&nbsp;

It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian.&nbsp;

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance. "It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, who monitors say have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement emerged to challenge his February 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. They had also wanted the release of political prisoners. "It's good that he did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said of the general, who was at the meeting with the other leaders. According to a statement from Brunei, the chair of the group, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. "He said he heard us, he would take the points in, which he considered helpful," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the junta chief, according to Channel NewsAsia television. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance." But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because there's one thing to say you'll cease violence and release political prisoners; it's another thing to get it done." There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing. The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN. The bloc has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members. It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian. The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. (With inputs from agencies)

Nations say reach consensus on ending Myanmar crisis at ASEAN meet 

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