GUNSHOTS were fired into the air in Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw yesterday as police tried to disperse crowds that had gathered in defiance of a ban on protests, as anger over last week’s military takeover continues.

Demonstrators fled as what were believed to be rubber bullets were used in response to the crowds pelting police with projectiles, itself a response to police using water cannon.

Having banned gatherings of five or more people, junta leader Senior General Minh Aung Laing warned that he was prepared to take action against large rallies.