DEMONSTRATORS in Myanmar who banged pots and pans in protest against last year’s military coup can be charged with high treason, the ruling junta warned today.

It announced the draconian measures days before the first anniversary of the power grab that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.

She was jailed for an additional four years earlier this month, on top of a two-year sentence handed down in December.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and 10,600 arrested since the military seized power during clampdowns on strikes and protests demanding the restoration of democracy.

The People’s Defence Forces, a group resisting military rule, and the shadow National Unity Government have been branded “terrorists” by the junta.

In a statement today, the military accused the groups of encouraging people to “destroy state stability … by performing silent strikes, clapping, banging pots and pans, car honking and etc.”

Those engaging in noisy protests “or who share propaganda” against the junta can be charged with high treason under anti-terrorism legislation or with agitating against the military, the statement said.

Sentence for the offences range from three years in prison to death.