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Burma monks march as police act | Burma monks march as police act |
(10 minutes later) | |
Several thousand Burmese monks and other protesters have begun a new march in Rangoon despite a baton charge by police at the city's holiest shrine. | Several thousand Burmese monks and other protesters have begun a new march in Rangoon despite a baton charge by police at the city's holiest shrine. |
Police charged the crowd outside the Shwedagon Pagoda as demonstrators met for a ninth day of marching and warning shots were fired at another site. | |
The new march seems to be heading towards the home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | The new march seems to be heading towards the home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. |
Police and troops are surrounding key Buddhist sites around the city. | Police and troops are surrounding key Buddhist sites around the city. |
We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, Senior monk | We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, Senior monk |
Analysts fear a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing thousands. | Analysts fear a repeat of the violence in 1988, when troops opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing thousands. |
In a further sign that the military authorities are cracking down, two key dissidents were arrested late on Tuesday night. | In a further sign that the military authorities are cracking down, two key dissidents were arrested late on Tuesday night. |
The atmosphere in Rangoon is described by eyewitnesses as extremely tense, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Bangkok. | The atmosphere in Rangoon is described by eyewitnesses as extremely tense, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Bangkok. |
The mood among the crowds of bystanders is becoming very angry over the treatment of the monks, our South East Asia correspondent reports. | The mood among the crowds of bystanders is becoming very angry over the treatment of the monks, our South East Asia correspondent reports. |
Dragged away | Dragged away |
Up to 5,000 monks and other protesters are on the march through Rangoon, some of them wearing surgical masks in anticipation of the security forces using tear gas, Reuters news agency reports. | Up to 5,000 monks and other protesters are on the march through Rangoon, some of them wearing surgical masks in anticipation of the security forces using tear gas, Reuters news agency reports. |
KEY PROTEST SITES 1. Shwedagon pagoda. Holiest site in Rangoon2. Sule pagoda. Downtown focal point for marches | KEY PROTEST SITES 1. Shwedagon pagoda. Holiest site in Rangoon2. Sule pagoda. Downtown focal point for marches |
They are defying a ban on all public gatherings of more than five people. | They are defying a ban on all public gatherings of more than five people. |
At the Sule Pagoda, security forces fired shots over the heads of protesters as supporters of the monks there chanted "You are fools!" | |
When protesters turned up at Shwedagon, which is blocked off by security forces, police beat their shields with their batons and yelled orders to disperse before giving chase. | |
Some demonstrators were beaten and dragged away in trucks and dozens were arrested. | Some demonstrators were beaten and dragged away in trucks and dozens were arrested. |
Eyewitnesses saw a number of protesters fall to the ground amid the chaos. | Eyewitnesses saw a number of protesters fall to the ground amid the chaos. |
"We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, although there might be some clashes," one senior monk told AFP news agency before the baton charge. | "We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, although there might be some clashes," one senior monk told AFP news agency before the baton charge. |
"We will show our kindness first." | "We will show our kindness first." |
Two of the country's most prominent dissidents, U Win Naing and popular comedian Zaganar, were arrested overnight. | Two of the country's most prominent dissidents, U Win Naing and popular comedian Zaganar, were arrested overnight. |
US sanctions | US sanctions |
The junta, which repressed the 1988 protests by killing some 3,000 people, broke its silence over the mounting protests late on Monday, saying it was ready to "take action". | The junta, which repressed the 1988 protests by killing some 3,000 people, broke its silence over the mounting protests late on Monday, saying it was ready to "take action". |
US President George W Bush has announced a tightening of existing US economic sanctions against it. | US President George W Bush has announced a tightening of existing US economic sanctions against it. |
America already has an arms ban on Burma, a ban on all exports, a ban on new investment and a ban on financial services. | America already has an arms ban on Burma, a ban on all exports, a ban on new investment and a ban on financial services. |
China, a close ally of Burma, has called for stability and the EU has also urged the junta to show restraint and launch a process of real political reform. | China, a close ally of Burma, has called for stability and the EU has also urged the junta to show restraint and launch a process of real political reform. |
The protests were triggered by the government's decision to double the price of fuel last month, hitting people hard in the impoverished nation. | The protests were triggered by the government's decision to double the price of fuel last month, hitting people hard in the impoverished nation. |
Are you in Burma? How have you been affected by the current situation? What is the mood like in the country? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in Burma? How have you been affected by the current situation? What is the mood like in the country? Send us your comments and experiences. |
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +447725100100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +447725100100. |
If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |