International Desk: Security forces have opened fire on protesters and at least two people have been shot dead on Saturday (February 20th).

Security forces have fired live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay. Several people were also injured.

Hundreds of protesters rallied near a shipyard in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, local media and hospital sources told the BBC on Saturday. The incident took place when police fired live ammunition and rubber bullets to disperse them.

The Myanmar army staged a coup earlier this month to oust Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. The protesters have been continuing their activities for several weeks.

Protesters are demanding the release of detained NLD leaders and activists, including Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi, however, is under house arrest for breaking the law and keeping an illegal walkie-talkie.

The country's military, meanwhile, says "there is a vote rigging behind Suu Kyi's NLD victory in last year's election," though, the army has not yet provided any evidence.

A woman named Mya Tha Tha Khaing was first reported dead in the violence against Mandalay protesters. Shee was shot in the head. Another man was shot in the chest, sources said.

Police, meanwhile, are denying the use of lethal shelling.

Sun News