Anti-coup protesters in Myanmar were threatened with imprisonment, by the military rulers, lest they take part in a "silent strike" on Tuesday. The strike is organized on the first anniversary of power seizure by the generals. The United States, Britain and Canada have imposed new sanctions since the coup.
Huge street protests were triggered at the overthrow of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's government last year. The security forces killed hundreds in crackdowns that ensued leading to the formation of "people's defence forces" to take on the well-equipped army.
Aung San Suu Kyi and other figures from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party were rounded up in raids, accused by the junta of rigging a 2020 election the NLD won.
In recent days, activists have urged people to stay indoors and businesses to close on Tuesday.
The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other figures from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party were rounded up in raids, accused by the junta of rigging a 2020 election the NLD won.
A spokesman for the ruling military did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment.
State media reported military ruler Min Aung Hlaing had on Monday extended a state of emergency for six months to facilitate promised elections.
The state-run newspaper said the military government would strive to hold new elections once the situation was "peaceful and stable", without giving a date.
In the northern city of Myitkyina, a photograph of a sign put up by the military warned residents not to join the silent protest or face jail terms of up to 20 years, though images of the city posted on social media on Tuesday showed largely deserted streets.
In the main city of Yangon, photographs on a social media page put up by strike organisers showed a small protest where people threw red paint on the ground.
The impact of the calls for a nationwide strike was not immediately clear. At least four people were arrested in the central town of Pathein for inciting silent protests on social media, the Ayarwaddy Times reported.
-Reuters