Myanmar security forces raid compound of striking rail workers

Myanmar security forces on Wednesday (Mar 10) launched a raid on the staff compound of striking railway workers opposed to the military junta as ousted lawmakers appointed an acting vice president to take over the duties of detained politicians. The railway staff in Yangon are part of a civil disobedience movement that has crippled government business and included strikes at banks, factories and shops since the army ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in a coup on Feb 1.

Footage posted on social media showed security forces near the railway staff compound. One person involved in the strike said by telephone they feared an imminent crackdown. "I think they are going to arrest us. Please help us," said the person, who asked to be identified only as Ma Su rather than their full name. In a Facebook live broadcast from the area people chanted: "Are we staff united? Yes, we are united" and a commentator claimed police were trying to remove barricades and threatening to shoot. Details could not be independently verified. Police and army officials did not respond to requests for comment.