Protesters opposing the military takeover of Myanmar returned to the streets in large numbers on Wednesday. Thousands of people rallied in Yangon, the nation's biggest city, blocking roads with vehicles to stop security forces from moving around the commercial capital.
Calls for a "broken-down car campaign" spread quickly on social media after the military's resumed internet services. Numerous photos soon appeared on various social media sites of supposedly stalled cars, with bonnets raised, clogging up streets.
Protestors parked their cars in the middle of city streets and on bridges on Wednesday, pretending they had broken down to prevent police and army trucks from reaching the protest sites.
According to CMG reporters, large police deployments were seen near the demonstration sites. So far, police have not taken any action to stop the demonstrators.
Protesters block the railway's departure at Mandalay Central Railway Station, Mandalay, Myanmar, February 17, 2021. /CMG
In the second largest city of Mandalay, protesters milled onto railway track to block trains departing from Mandalay Central Railway Station, as part of their strike movement.
CMG reporters also reported local protests which blocked departure trains to Yangon in Mawlamyine Township, the capital of Myanmar's southeastern Mon state, on Tuesday.
Protesters block the railway's departure at Mandalay Central Railway Station, Mandalay, Myanmar, February 17, 2021. /CMG
Myanmar's military has promised it will hold an election and hand over power to the political party, winning a majority of votes. The military has not announced any date for conducting a fresh election but has imposed a state of emergency for one year.
The first virtual court hearings of President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who were remanded in detention, were held on Tuesday.
Police filed a second charge against the Aung San Suu Kyi for violating a Natural Disaster Management Law on Tuesday when she appeared in court via video link.
(With input from agencies)