The violence used by Myanmar's armed forces against unarmed opponents since the coup in February has shocked the world; more than 800 people have been killed, most by military gunfire. But the deaths in custody of two officials from the National League of Democracy - the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi - have cast an even grimmer light on the military's actions. On Saturday, 6 March, cities across Myanmar were on edge. Three days earlier they had experienced what had then been the most violent day since the coup in February - with the UN recording the deaths of 38 people. The army had seized power on 1 February, after claiming - without evidence - that a previous election which saw the NLD gain power was fraudulent. Ms Suu Kyi and senior leaders were put under house arrest - triggering waves of protest against the military. For the first three weeks the military had seemed unsure how to respond to the protests. But by the end of February they were using increasing levels of lethal force. By the first week of March, it was clear there would be no restraint. The historic downtown neighbourhood of Pabedan in central Yangon, with its narrow alleys between crumbling colonial buildings, had seen plenty of drama. That week, activists had built barricades in some streets to keep out the security forces, and there had been several clashes. Pabedan has a diverse population, with a large number of Muslim residents and eight mosques in the township. In last year's general election, Sithu Maung, one of only two Muslim candidates fielded by NLD won the parliamentary seat there. His campaign manager was Khin Maung Latt, a veteran NLD activist who had moved to Pabedan many years before and lived with the family of a Buddhist lawyer. He co-owned a tour company, had run a video rental shop, and had been active in the NLD since 1988, becoming the chairman of his local branch. He was a well-known and well-liked member of the community. "He was very religious and prayed five times a day," Sithu Muang told the BBC from where he is now hiding from the military. "But people from all faiths loved him. He did a lot for the community, like making new green spaces for children to play in. He was very important to the NLD."