Nun stands between security forces, protesters in Myanmar

A nun who knelt in front of riot police during protests against Myanmar's military coup in Myitkyina has said she was prepared to lay down her life to protect others.

Speaking in an interview with UK broadcaster Sky, Sister Ann Roza nu Tawng accused security forces of beating and killing protesters.

Sister Ann Roza nu Tawng from the St Francis Xavier Convent made her stand in February earlier this year in Myitkyina, the capital of the northern state of Kachin, which has seen protests since the coup on Feb. 1.

Footage from Myintkyina News Journal showed the nun pleading with security forces armed with riot gear, as protesters gathered down the road.

Security forces in Myanmar again used force Saturday to disperse anti-coup protesters, a day after the U.N. special envoy urged the Security Council to take action to quell junta violence that this week left about 50 peaceful demonstrators dead and scores injured.

Fresh protests were reported Saturday morning in the biggest city of Yangon, where stun grenades and tear gas were used against protesters. On Wednesday, 18 people were reported killed there.

Protests were also reported in Myeik, in the country’s far south where police fired tear gas at students, and Dawei in the southeast where tear gas was also used. Other places included Kyaikto, in the eastern state of Mon, Loikaw, the capital of Kayah state in eastern Myanmar, and Myingyan, a city where one protester was killed on Wednesday.