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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 where demonstrators were rallying for their ninth day of protest marches, eyewitnesses say. 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 monkWe 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 awayDragged 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 marchesKEY 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.
When protesters who 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. 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 sanctionsUS 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.
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