Myanmar Buddhist group signals break with authorities after violent crackdown

A wounded Buddhist monk receives treatment from a medical staff amid protests against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmaron March 13, 2021. - Reuters

YANGON (Reuters): The most powerful group of Buddhist monks in Myanmar called on the junta to end violence against protesters and accused an "armed minority" of torture and killing innocent civilians following last month's coup, media reported on Wednesday (March 17).

In its most forthright condemnation of the military's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations, the government-appointed body also said in a draft statement its members intended to halt activities in an apparent protest.