Myanmar's junta declared Saturday night that a group of ousted lawmakers running a shadow government would now be classified as "terrorists", as the military moves to tighten its grip over a country in turmoil.

Since the military seized power in a February 1 coup, detaining and ousting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a nationwide uprising has refused to back down in its demands for a return to democracy.

Protesters continue to take to the streets daily, while a nationwide boycott by students and faculty as well as civil servants across various sectors has brought the country to a shuddering halt.

Meanwhile, a group of ousted lawmakers -- many of them previously part of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party -- have formed a shadow "National Unity Government" to undermine the junta.

On Wednesday, the NUG announced the formation of a so-called "people's defence force" to protect civilians facing violence from the military.

By Saturday night, state-run television announced that the NUG, its people's defence force, and an affiliated group known as the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) -- the Burmese word for parliament -- were now classified as "terrorist organisations".

"We ask the people not to... support terrorist actions, give aid to terrorist actions that threaten the people's security from the CRPH, NUG, and PDF," said the evening news broadcast.

The announcement comes as sporadic bomb blasts go off more frequently across Myanmar, especially in commercial hub Yangon -- which authorities have blamed on "instigators".

Previously, the junta had declared the CRPH and NUG as "unlawful associations", and said interacting with them would be akin to high treason.

But their new designation as a "terrorist organisation" means anyone speaking to them -- including journalists -- can be subjected to charges under counter-terrorism laws.

The Arakan Army -- an insurgent group that had clashed with the military in conflict-wracked Rakhine state -- held the designation last year, and a journalist who had interviewed a high-ranking representative was detained.

He faced terrorism charges, carrying penalties ranging from three years to life in prison.

While he was released not long after, the use of the counter-terrorism law against journalists sparked fears of a tightening noose around the country's embattled press.

Dozens of journalists have been arrested in the wake of the coup, while media outlets have shut down and various broadcasting licenses have been revoked for some TV stations -- placing the country under an information blackout.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has justified his February 1 power grab by citing electoral fraud in November elections won by Suu Kyi's NLD party.

But the regime's efforts to suppress a growing anti-junta movement have brought only bloodshed, with security forces having killed more than 770 civilians since February 1, according to a local monitoring group.

Myanmar coup: 100 days of turmoil
Yangon (AFP) May 10, 2021 - Myanmar's military seized power on February 1, ousting the civilian government and arresting its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The 100 days that have followed have seen mass street protests, bloody crackdowns by the junta, economic turmoil and growing international concern.

A recap of events:

- Back to the old days -

The generals stage a coup on February 1, detaining Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi and her top allies in pre-dawn raids.

It ends Myanmar's decade-long experiment with democracy after close to half a century of military rule.

The generals claim fraud in November's elections, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide.

The putsch draws global condemnation, from Pope Francis to US President Joe Biden.

- Walkie-talkies -

Two days later 75-year-old Suu Kyi is charged with an obscure offence over unregistered walkie-talkies at her home.

- Internet blocked -

Resistance to the coup begins with people banging pots and pans -- a practice traditionally associated with driving out evil spirits.

The junta tries to block social media platforms including Facebook, which is hugely popular in Myanmar. Nightly internet blackouts are later imposed.

- Bold defiance -

Popular dissent surges over the weekend of February 6 and 7, with tens of thousands of people gathering on the streets calling for the release of Suu Kyi.

Workers begin a nationwide strike on February 8.

- Police fire on protesters -

A young woman, Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, is shot in the head and another person is wounded after police fire on crowds in Naypyidaw on February 9.

- International sanctions -

The next day Washington announces sanctions against several military officials, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief now in charge.

More rounds of sanctions follow in the subsequent weeks from the United States, Britain and the European Union.

- New Suu Kyi charge -

On February 16 Suu Kyi's lawyer says she has been hit with a second charge, this time under the natural disaster management law.

- First protester dies -

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, the woman shot 10 days earlier, dies on February 19, becoming a symbol of opposition to the junta.

- More charges -

Suu Kyi is hit with two new criminal charges on March 1. Her lawyer says she is now accused of inciting unrest and breaking telecommunications laws.

Ten days later the military accuses her of accepting illegal payments of cash and gold.

- Atrocities alleged -

On March 11 rights group Amnesty International says it has documented atrocities by the junta including the use of battlefield weapons on unarmed protesters.

A day later a UN rights expert on Myanmar accuses the military of crimes against humanity.

- Junta defends coup -

The junta defends seizing power on March 25 and says it will not tolerate "anarchy" wrought by protesters.

- Bloodiest day -

Armed Forces Day on March 27, the military's annual show of strength, turns into a bloodbath with more than 100 civilians killed in protest crackdowns -- the deadliest single day since the coup.

- 'Civil war' warning -

Violence escalates in border areas between the military and Myanmar's numerous ethnic rebel armies -- several of which have declared their support for the protest movement.

On March 31 a UN envoy calls for Security Council action to stop the country spiralling into civil war.

- Secrets charge -

On April 2, Suu Kyi's lawyer announces the most serious charge laid against her -- of breaching the official secrets act.

- Shadow government -

Ousted civilian lawmakers, forced into hiding, announce the formation of a shadow "National Unity Government".

- ASEAN summit -

Leaders from regional bloc ASEAN hold a summit on the Myanmar crisis in Jakarta, and invite junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

They agree a five-point statement calling for dialogue, an end to violence and the appointment of an envoy.

But state media report days later the bloc's "suggestions" will only be considered "when the situation returns to stability" in Myanmar.

Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com

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