Water cannon fired on coup protesters in Myanmar

Police in Myanmar’s capital fired a water cannon at crowds of protesters on Monday, as the third day of nationwide unrest raged on.

Protesters in Naypyidaw appeared to have been hurt when they were knocked to the ground.

Police then appeared to stop when demonstrators offered them branches and flowers as a symbol of their peaceful movement.

Tens of thousands of people across the country have joined demonstrations against the military-led coup last Monday, which resulted in the removal of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The nation’s youth have banded together with university professors, Buddhist monks, and healthcare workers to organise what they call the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Protesters on Monday carried signs reading "Our Rights!" and "Save Myanmar, Reject Military Coup."

“We health workers are leading this campaign to urge all the government staff to join the CDM. Our message to the public is that we aim to completely abolish this military regime, and we have to fight for our own destiny."

Protests over the weekend were the biggest since the “Saffron Revolution” in 2007, which ushered in a series of democratic reforms.

Unlike protests then, this year’s demonstrations have remained peaceful.

But late Sunday night, a convoy of military trucks were seen passing into major city Yangon, raising fears of escalation.

Reuters has been unable to contact the military junta for comment on the protests.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and Western countries like the U.S. and Australia have called for Suu Kyi’s release and the restoration of democracy.