Protesters in Myanmar organize candle-lit vigils

Protesters in Myanmar organized candle-lit vigils, mostly in small towns across the country, to protest the security forces' crackdown and the killing of about 250 people since February 1 coup.

The violent crackdown sparked an unprecedented condemnation of Western governments and criticism from some Asian countries neighboring Myanmar, according to Reuters news agency.

The country has been witnessing a wave of unrest since the military ousted the government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power through a February 1 coup, sparking a nationwide uprising in which protesters called for the restoration of democracy.

So far, more than 230 people have been killed in the anti-coup demonstrations, according to a local watchdog group, while security forces have used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against the protesters.