Myanmar junta defends crackdown, vows to stop 'anarchy' but sad at deaths

Two men on a motorbike alert people and anti coup protesters as armed security forces arrive to crack down on a demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Myanmar’s military junta on Tuesday took the offensive to justify last month's coup and subsequent actions against those opposed to it, even as street demonstrations continued against the takeover. - AP

Yangon, March 24, 2021 (AFP): Myanmar's junta on late Tuesday (March 23) defended its seven-week crackdown that has left more than 260 democracy protesters dead, insisting it would not tolerate "anarchy".

The junta has unleashed deadly violence as it struggles to quell nationwide protests against the February 1 ousting of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.