Myanmar protesters defy curfew as media outlets ordered to shut

Anti-coup protesters discharge fire extinguishers to counter the impact of the tear gas fired by police during a demonstration in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 8, 2021. The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the Feb. 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta, even as countries struggle over how to best sway military leaders inured to global condemnation. (AP Photo)

Demonstrators in Myanmar’s biggest city came out on Monday night for their first mass protests in defiance of an 8pm curfew, backing about 200 students trapped by security forces in a small area of one neighbourhood.

The students and other civilians earlier took part in one of many daily protests across the country against the military’s seizure of power last month that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.