Smaller-scale protests in Burma on Sunday
Oct 1, 2007 (DVB)–Government security levels remained high in Burma yesterday as smaller-scale protests were held around the country.
In Moegok, Mandalay division, soldiers and police officers cracked down on a protest group of about 200 monks and 3,000 civilians, severely beating the protestors, according to witnesses.
One of the protestors described being confronted by several soldiers and police officers in about 15 military trucks blocking the road near Kyat Pyin market who then proceeded to beat the protestors.
"They beat up the women walking in the back rows first.... A lot of men were also beaten up trying to protect the women," said the source.
Bystanders also reported that 34 protesters, including six women and two monks, were arrested during the crackdown.
In a separate event in Arakan's Taunggok township, around 1,000 civilians led by four monks staged a protest at about 2pm yesterday. A bystander told DVB that the protesters, who were marching on the Taunggok Township Peace and Development Council office, were later threatened by soldiers.
"They threatened to beat up protesters with bamboo sticks," said the bystander.
Other residents in Taunggok reported government officials and armed groups circling the town in trucks giving warnings over loudspeakers that protesters would be arrested.
Around 100 monks and 8,000 civilians joined a demonstration at about 1pm yesterday afternoon in Yaynanchaung, Magwe division.
The protestors were closely watched by government guards and soldiers armed with batons and automatic weapons, but no harassment of those demonstrating took place.
Protestors were summoned to a talk with the township police chief and the army's battalion commander, after which the protest broke up peacefully.
Reporting by Naw Say Phaw
This is a monk who dared to protest the military junta.
