Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Mandalay and other cities where some people also blocked its main rail link even as the military said its removal of the elected government was not a coup and it would hand back power after a new election. The military junta deployed armoured vehicles in several parts of the country and more soldiers on the streets since Sunday. Protesters are demanding the release of elected Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. She now faces a charge of violating a Natural Disaster Management Law as well as charges of illegally
importing six walkie-talkie radios. Her next hearing is set for March 1. – The US imposed sanctions on 10 former and current military officials in response to the coup d’etat in the country. – Staff in hospitals, schools and govt offices across the country have begun to participate in a growing civil
disobedience movement.