Hein Htut Aung: The taxi driver shot in front of his wife
People mourn the death of Hein Htut Aung
By BBC
On 28 February, Hein Htut Aung and his wife Ma Zin Mar were on their way to an anti-coup protest.
The couple had made a habit of attending protests after they finished work. But on that day, only Ma Zin Mar came home.
They had been taking a bus to join the protests. But the bus was stopped and passengers had to get off because of gunfire.
“He was shot while we were crossing the road,” she told the BBC. “Not very far from us, there were some protesters barricading the road with dustbins and barbed wire because they were being shot at.
“He shouted in pain and I saw blood on his chest. I tried to hold and press the hole.”
He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late.
Hein Htut Aung was a motorcycle-taxi driver, so everyone in the neighbourhood knew him.
“He was a very simple man. He was peaceful and didn’t talk much to other people. He would just play games on his phone in his free time. He took care of the family with whatever he earned honestly from his work.”
The couple had been married five years after meeting online and lived a “quiet life” in South Dagon township.
“We used to be together wherever we went. I miss him.”
Now, Ma Zin Mar says she will keep protesting until the coup ends.
“I admire the families of people who sacrificed their lives [for the cause]. I would like them to stay strong. I am feeling the same as them because I have also lost my husband.
“But we can’t stop. We can’t step back now. If we do, there will be more deaths.”
