Myanmar pro-democracy protesters demonstrated against the ruling military government by burning mock coffins of its leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, in several cities on Saturday, his 65th birthday.
In the second-largest city Mandalay, people calling for democracy burned mocked coffins attached with photos of Min Aung Hlaing and protested by holding placards that said, "Wish you die on your birthday."
Similar demonstrations took place in the largest city Yangon and other cities.
Since overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in the Feb. 1 coup, the military government led by Min Aung Hlaing has kept Suu Kyi and other prominent politicians in detention while using brute force against anti-coup protesters.
As of Saturday, 890 people had been killed and 5,086 detained by the military, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group tracking deaths and detainees in Myanmar.
Days after Min Aung Hlaing seized power in the coup on Feb. 1, the military government eliminated the mandatory retirement age of 65 for commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief, enabling Min Aung Hlaing to continue in his post.
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