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The Mizzima News: September 26, 2007

Specialising in Burma-related news and issues
www.mizzima.com,www.mizzima.tv

News inside Burma
Protests in Rangoon

September 26, 2007
Mizzima News ( www.mizzima.com)

(Burmese Standard time)

6:00 p.m.
Fully armed soldiers are seen forming a straight line and marching at the cross roads of Sule pagoda traffic point and Anawratha Street.

5:55 p.m.
Protesters in Rangoon have dispersed for the day.

A doctor in Rangoon's general hospital confirmed that three injured monks have been admitted to the hospital after they were beaten up severely by the riot police at Shwedagon pagoda earlier today.

5:30 p.m.
Woman protester injured in police firing

Besides warning shots into the air to disperse the protesting crowd, police took a shot at the crowd and injured a woman protester near Sule pagoda today.

A woman of 45 years of age and a resident of Shwepyithar Township was injured by the gun shot and was bleeding profusely. Fellow protesters had to take her to the hospital, Mizzima sources said.

She is the wife of Soe Aung.

5:15 p.m.
Rangoon protests

Hundreds of thousands of monks and civilians today took to the street despite the government's warnings and restrictions. Mizzima contacted observers to find out the situation of the protests held mainly in three major areas in Burma's commercial capital Rangoon.

Situation in Shwedagon Pagoda

"As the authorities refused to open the eastern gate of Shwedagon pagoda, the monks stood in front of the gate and recited Metta Sutta (Buddhist word for loving kindness). Then the soldiers charged the monks with batons and started beating and kicking the monks. We heard that an elderly monk died because of the beating. I saw one monk beaten severely. I guess that he is the same monk who is reported to have died. The monk must be over 80 years old. The monks were peacefully demanding opening pf the gate and the soldiers just charged into them and s arrested five people. I heard that two of the monks who were arrested were forced to take off their robes. Their robes were burnt. And the police also stamped on the Sasanah flag (religious flag). In all about 12 monks and civilians were injured. The police fired teargas from four directions. And after about three hours the people dispersed."

Situation in Sule

"On either sides of the Sule Pagoda street security forces are positioned and in the middle soldiers are taking up position. They all marched in a row and blocked the street. They all had their guns ready and fired into the sky as warning shots and hit a signboard and hurt one person inside the telephone office, which is near the Sule. And glasses were broken. And immediately all shopkeepers nearby pulled down shutters. As the road is blocked there was a traffic jam ensued. There are only a few monks here, but a lot of people, I think at least tens of thousands are here. There are monks only about 40 to 50 monks."

Situaiton in Sanpya Cinema hall

"Near the Sanpya cinema hall on the flyover bridge the protesters organized a gathering and gave speeches. The monks told the public how they were beaten by riot police at Shwedagon pagoda. Here, we could see two flags of the fighting peacock, along with the portrait of General Aung San. We will not respond with violence. But at the moment there are no security forces. But while coming to this place, on Bogyoke Street, we were met with three army trucks and they blocked the road. The monks tried to avoid but there were no injuries. The security forces were in large numbers and are full armed. Someone, like a commander is also among them. There are tens of thousands of protestors here."

5:00 p.m.
What actually happened near Shwedagon Pagoda today?

Monks and civilians today began their protest at about 2 p.m. (local time) and burnt down four army vehicles and several motorcycles belonging to intelligence officials.

"When the protesters arrived near the Shwegonedine, the crowd had swelled to at least 500,000. The monks were first hit by soldiers with rifle butts. And when the soldier started getting violent, enraged students, monks and the public set fire to four army vehicles and five two wheelers. In Rangoon only intelligence officials are allowed to ride motorbikes. Later the crowd marched towards the Rangoon city hall.The protesters met soldiers head on. They told the soldiers "shoot us" . Hesitant soldiers fired in the air. All this happened at about 2 p.m.The protesters then headed to Botathaung Township," an eyewitness told Mizzima.

5:00 p.m.
Mizzima has learnt that the crackdown on monks-led protestors in Shwedagon was carried out on the orders of several junta officials including Brigadier General Kyaw San, Minister of Information, Colonel Tint San No. (3) Regional commander, and Major Ye Zaw Zaw, the temporary commander of LIR (16).

4:30 p.m.
Soldiers despised by civilians

As the protesting crowd advanced soldiers and the three army trucks which stopped them on Bogyoke Street had to move back. Slowly the soldiers were forced out of the street until they reached under the Pansodan flyover. Another group of people watching the scene from the flyover threw their shoes and dirt on the soldiers, a practice reserved for those who are despised in the Burmese community.

4:05 p.m.
Civilians snatch back monks from security forces

Security officials have had to back-off and release monks, as supporters hit back security men who are arresting and loading the monks onto trucks.

As Monks from Bakara, Uhyin, Shin Ottama, Zeyawaddy, and Aung Mingalar monasteries began marching, at about 1 p.m (local time) security forces at the corner of Bakara street in Sanchaung township blocked the road and arrested the monks and loaded them on to a vehicle. But the local people in Sanchuang enraged seeing monks being ill-treated retaliated forcing them to back off.

After security forces backed-off, the road was clear and the monks could start marching again.

3:45 p.m.
About 30 soldiers with yellow ribbons around their necks led by a commander are marching on Bogyoke Street towards the 36th street. The soldiers were followed by three army trucks. The soldiers have now reached the 36th street and the protesting crowd is also slowly marching and approaching the soldiers.

3:35 p.m.
"In Bahan, police are being very rude. They kicked the monks, beat them on the head.. They stepped on monk who fell down on the streets," said a Rangoon resident to Mizzima talking about the crackdown on demonstrators near Shwedagon pagoda.

3:05 p.m.
Soldiers fired warning gunshots at the protesters led by monks near the Sule pagoda. And eyewitnesses said at least 10 more truck loads of soldiers have been brought in as reinforcement.

3:00 p.m.
Near the Sule pagoda in downtown Rangoon, protesting monks and civilians remained silent as soldiers confronted them. More onlookers joined the protesters.

2:56 p.m.
Security forces have blocked the Kanna Street in downtown Rangoon. As the authorities reduced the speed of internet connections, most internet cafes in Rangoon today closed shop.

2:30 p.m.
Security forces fired tear gas shells and gun shots in Rangoon to disperse protesting monks.

"I saw people running from Shwedagon because of the gun fire. They [authorities] have started shooting. Some people ran from Shwedagon to Maha Bandoola Street. At the moment the protesting monks and civilians number more than 10,000 and are departing from Shwedagon and heading towards Tharmwe Plaza," an eyewitness told Mizzima.

Mizzima Sources said, gun shots could be heard from the direction of Sule pagoda in downtown Rangoon. Two gun shots were heard from Bar Street and another two from City hall, near Sule pagoda.

Monks and civilians continue marching in protest and sing nationalist songs such as "Kabarmakyeabu", and shouted " peopl not to be slaughtered" as they moved along.

At least four monks were injured following the beatings by riot police in Shwedagon, according to people who fled.

2:25 p.m.
Security forces fire teargas beat up protesters

Security forces in Rangoon's Shwedagon pagoda fired four teargas shells into the protesting crowd led by monks and began beating up the protesters including monks. A protesters screamed "Killers, Killers" and ran away to escape the beatings, eyewitnesses said.

Security forces also beat a reporter along with other protesters.

11:58 a.m.
Authorities have blocked the road from Myaynikone to Shwedagon pagoda.

Armed security personnel have been stationed at the corner of the link street near the office of the National League for Democracy

But eyewitnesses said, some people have gathered in front of the NLD office to continue the protest today.

11:10 a.m.
More protests foreseen

The junta's ban on assembly of more than five people nothwithstanding activists said they would continue to protest.

Sources said, groups of people are starting to gather in Rangoon to start demonstrations today.

More arrests

Authorities last night arrested famous Burmese comedian and critic, Zarganar from his residence.

Police raided the house of the Burmese comedian at 1 Op.m. last night and seized photographs and telephone besides arresting him.

As Burma saw protests and crackdowns in what is another snowballing unrest, Thai government has planned to call back its embassy officials in Rangoon if the situation goes out of control.

At least 150 riot police are seen taking up position near the office of the cabinet.

10: 45 a.m.
Security tightened in Rangoon

As part of escalating security security measures a military truck has been placed at the eastern gate of the famous Shwedagon pagoda, and only a single man entry was open at the middle gate. At Kyethwon pagoda, about 100 riot police blocked the road.

Police officials also ordered the roadside stalls near the area to be close-down. At Arzarnikone, two army trucks have been placed and at the end of the road near the nuns monastery there are about 40 policemen.

Though today is the full moon day of the month, on which Buddhists in Burma usually goes for prayers at pagodas, due to heavy security at the pagodas only a few people are seen going for prayers.

Meanwhile, at Mandalay, about 300 police and soldiers that has batches of Battalion 99, are seen taking up position near the Phayagyi pagoda.

Impacts

In Rangoon most of the private learning centres including tuitions and extra classes have been closed-down indefinitely.

As today is the full moon day, all government schools are closed, but offices remained open. However, there have been orders that in case of emergency all the front doors should be immediately shut-down.

While a few private companies closed their offices, many continue to operate. But in case of emergency, the employees have been instructed to leave the office early.

Junta's preparations

Sources said, the junta has envisaged that the protesting monks would continue despite their restrictions, and that the junta has plans to instigate violence among the demonstrators so as to project the demonstration is going out of control.

If the information is true, as part of the junta's plan, government-backed thugs taking the form of protesters would attack and destroy Tharmwe Township Peace and Development Council office, and as more people join the attack the army will open fire on protesters, on the pretext that it is protecting government properties.

10:37 a.m.
Junta bans gathering, imposes curfew in Mandalay and Rangoon

In a desperate bid to put a stop to demonstrations the Burmese military junta has stepped up security to unprecedented levels after declaring curfew last night in two of its biggest cities – Mandalay and Rangoon.

The regime did not make the announcement through its state-owned medias. Local authorities did the rounds in their respective townships with large megaphones and announced the 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew.

The announcement also includes banning of assemblies of more than five people.


News inside Burma
Protests across Burma

September 26, 27, 2007
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

(Indian Standard time)

8:24 p.m.
Over 17,000 people joined the demonstration in Mon State today, according to Thailand based Independent Mon News Agency.

Mon and Karen students took part in demonstration led by the monks.

7:00 p.m.
Bamaw follow up

Monks and NLD members arrested in Bamaw

The local authorities arrested over 90 monks and five NLD members at about 1 a.m in Bamaw, Kachin State.

The Local LIB 237 arrested 60 monks from Maha Theidawgyi monastery and another 30 monks from various monasteries. In this raid and arrest, we learnt that there were some monks were beaten up.

"They arrested all last night. Most of the arrested monks are from Theinkyaung monastery totaling 60. They raided and arrested monks from other monasteries too. In some monasteries, only young novices were left. They arrested even the abbot. A monk from Theinkyaung escaped the raid,"a local resident who is close to the escaped monk said.

This monk who escaped, received serious injuries on his leg as the raiding team kicked him.

They also arrested NLD members, Bamau Nyo New (MP-elect), Township NLD Vice-Chairman U Ba Myint, U Maran Bauk Naw, U Tun Hla and U Zaw Tint.

"The raid team arrested U Ba Myint at about 1 a.m. They didn't knock on the door and entered from the window like thieves. The raiding team included two policemen and two others in mufti. They didn't let U Ba Myint take his clothes and other personal items. He had to go with them in his night dress, vest and shorts They also took his son along with U Ba Myint. His son was released next morning," a local resident close to Bamaw NLD told Mizzima.

The family members still don't have any information on their whereabouts and are concerned over their safety and health. Similarly about 100 monks from Myitkyina Yuzana monastery were arrested last night.

5:30 p.m.
Security forces fired three warning shots in the air in Mandalay, near the Myataung monastery. There are reports that a few protesters were injured today.

5:00 p.m.
Follow up on Pakhokku protest

Interview with a protesting monk

Here everything was peaceful. The protest was quite big, and a lot of people joined in, We could recite Metta Sutta peacefully. Monks from all over the town joined us. There are about 2000 monks. Even students joined the protest, they joined after they concluded their examinations. There were about 400 to 500 people including civilians. We kept the students in the middle of the column, and we monks marched in front and at the rear. We alternated between monks and civilian in terms of rows. We were concerned that the people might just turn emotional and start shouting slogans. And if there had been any disturbances the monks will be the first to defend. It would be difficult to target civilians as we were mixed up.

"We recited Metta Sutta. What we are doing is in accordance with the teaching of our Lord Buddha. And the monks that are protesting are the true sons of Lord Buddha. For those who disturb us or who hinder us in speaking the truth, we pray that they be judge accordingly by the good spirits. And we ended the protest march at 4 p.m (local time)."

3:30 p.m.
Protest in Myingyan

More than 3000 monks from the Kosaung monastery were joined by over 10,000 civilians in their protests in Myingyan Tow, Mandalay division.

From Kosaung monastery protesters marched to Ward No. 6, No. 10 and on the Phaya Road and Bogyoke Road.

2:15 p.m.
Protest in Sittwe - Telephone interview with a local resident

"They are marching to Phayargyi. Yes, a lot of people. The people in Muslim faith are also included. The strength of monks may be over 1,000. I cannot estimate the number of people in protest, it's a lot. Now they are marching from the Phayargyi and chanting a lot of slogans."

"One of the slogans is on rising commodity prices, They are chanting slogans and holding banners and placards. They have started at about 1:30 p.m . and are marching to Phayargyi."

"The security forces didn't block them. But they are guarding their offices well. The security forces are in the truck and the number may be around 50-60 at the Township PDC office."

Sittwe Portest follow up news

Though monks and people have started their protest in Sittwe today, the protest columns and crowd have not yet joined them. A local resident told Mizzima that there are over 4,000 monks and 20,000 people in the today's protest march.

Reported at 3 p.m. BST

Telephone interview with a local resident

"About 4,000-5,000 monks have started their protest march today from Phayargyi. They all vowed together at Phayargyi to continue their struggle and to sacrifice whatever they have to, including their lives. About 20,000 people are following behind the monks. Another group is coming to join them. These two groups have not yet joined together. The marched from Phayargyi to Minbargyi Road, and then to Sittwe Jetty, then to Ring Road and are now turning ot Kyaung Te Road."

"Yes, the army is deployed near the Town Hall, State PDC Office, and State Court. They deployed army in about 15 trucks at about 11 a.m. today. The soldiers cannot be seen from outside, they are hiding in the office buildings."

2:00 p.m.
11 monks arrested in Moe Nyin, Kachin State

At least 11 monks in Moe Nyin town of Kachin state have been arrested at about 10 p.m.(local time) by the authorities.

The arrested monks were taken away from various monasteries. The arrested monks are U Sar Toe and U Pauk from Pyaubwai monastery, U Thiharanah from Thone monastery, U Lawpatha from Linkarah monastery, U Ottarah and U Teikkha from Tatkone monastery and another five monks are from Natgyikone monastery.

1:47 p.m.
Protest in Pakhokku

A Monk in Pakhokku speaking to Mizzima said, "They are gearing up for protest now. We don't know about civilians but there are a lot of monks. At least 1000 monks have gathered from the east and the west monasteries. They will begin the march as usual. They are now beginning to march. We don't see much security here."

10:15 a.m.
Situation in Bago

A local resident told Mizzima of the situation in Bago

"Security has been tightened and there is a lot of security personnel every where. But so far nothing has happened. Three truck loads of security personnel arrived from Rangoon. Soldiers and Hlone Htein have been stationed since 9 or 10 this morning."


News inside Burma
Burmese Junta imposes curfew, bans public gatherings

Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

September 26, 2007 - Burmese military junta on Tuesday bans gathering of more than five people in a place and declares curfew in two major cities Rangoon and Mandalay, according to a police source in Rangoon.

Under the new restriction, which is announced late Tuesday, the authorities will declare unlawful association if more than five people gathers in a group and that will empower the authorities to arrest the protestors or at the least they be taken for interrogation, the source told Mizzima.

"The curfew is imposed from 9:00 p.m to 5:00 a.m," said the source who requests not to be named for fear of reprisal. According to wire-news agencies' reports, the curfew will remain effective up to 60 days.

The announcement, made by Township Peace and Development Council officials in Rangoon and Mandalay, came after more than 150, 000 monks and civilians today once again took to the streets in protest despite government warnings. The government's action clearly aims to stop the growing peoples' protests led by the Buddhist monks.

"From tomorrow (September 26), there will be public arrests and if the monks defy the order by their continued protests, they would be disrobed," the police source added.

The Burmese Junta, which has so far made no forceful response to crack down the ongoing street-protests, on Monday, gave a warning, urging monks to maintain Buddhist "rules and regulations" and to stay out of politics.

The Junta's minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, in the national televised broadcast on Monday night, warned that protestors will be 'taken action'.

However, the monks, who have declared a nation-wide boycott against the ruling junta, continued the protests today for the eighth consecutive day and led hundreds of thousands of supporters including celebrities, students, activists and politicians. Several Members of Parliament who were elected in the 1990 elections but were never able to assemble Parliament also joined the monks-led demonstrations today.

The source also adds that soldiers with full equipments have been ordered to patrol Rangoon to see that the curfew is being strictly followed.


News inside Burma
Junta blocks popular blogs

Nam Davies (Mizzima News)

September 26, 2007 - The Burmese military junta is now desperate to stop information of the turmoil in the country filtering out to the rest of the world. It has blocked some domestic blogs today at about 6 p.m. to restrict and stop free flow of information.

The authorities blocked popular blogs http://www.kohtike.blogspot.com , http://niknayman.blogspot.com and http://soneseyar.blogspot.com which continuously posted news and photographs of ongoing protests against the fuel price hike and economic hardship.

"Curbs of freedom of expression by the people and restricting the free media are a blatant violation of fundamental human rights. We condemn the SPDC vehemently," A Niknayman blogger said.

"Access Denied" notice appeared when they tried to log on to these banned websites and blogs. These blogs posted the protest march news and pictures in which monks, students, artists and ethnic people vent their grievances, a blogger said.

Similarly the authorities recently banned popular the 'You Tube' website where video clips of Burmese democratic movements were posted. They also disconnected the mobile and landline phones of leading politicians, reporters of domestic and foreign media and wire agencies and 88 generation student activists.

The Government owned MPT and Bagan Cyber Tech blocked the websites and blogs to restrict and ban the free flow of information in and out of Burma. Niknayman said that even though the government blocked their websites and blogs, the readers can still visit their blogs and websites through proxy servers.

"The readers can visit our blogs through proxy. But we worry about the difficulty in locating our websites through these proxy servers", the Niknayman blog owner said.

Just before the recent blog ban, a rumour spread that the authorities were planning to block internet connections also.


Neighbour
At last India voices concern over Burma turmoil

Mungpi
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

September 26, 2007 - Waking up from its slumber, India, for the first time, has expressed concern over the ongoing Buddhist monk-led protests in Burma which the military junta is ruthlessly trying to suppress as of today by unleashing its army.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) today said, it is closely monitoring the situation in Burma and hopes all parties will resolve the problems through a meaningful dialogue.

"The Government of India is concerned at and is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar [Burma ]. It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue," the MEA said.

"India has always believed that Myanmar's [Burma ] process of political return and national reconciliation should be more inclusive and broad based," the MEA added.

The MEA's response came after more than a month of sporadic protests in Burma that began following the government's decision to hike fuel prices last month.

The Burmese junta resorted to a violent crackdown on Wednesday amidst reports that at least one monk and a woman were killed after riot police fired teargas shells and charged the protesting crowd with batons.

India, as the largest democracy in the world and a neighbour, attracted criticism by activists for maintaining a silence over the ongoing protests and the repressive measures by the junta in Burma on peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, international communities including the US, UK, France, Australia, Japan and the United Nations have voiced concern and urged the ruling junta to exercise restraint in the face of growing protests by the monks.

India, ironically was the first country to have voiced concern when the Burmese junta mercilessly cracked down on protesters, who similarly took to the streets of Rangoon, in 1988. The Indian Embassy in Rangoon even went to the extent of providing assistance to student activists, when the junta started hunting them down after the coup in September 1988.


Commentary
Dharma war

By Tun Tun Naing
Mizzima News ( www.mizzima.com)

September 26, 2007 - Thee triple jewels of Buddhism --- Buddha, Sangha and Dharma have been reincarnated by Burma's protesting monks as calls for economic reform, the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and an apology for recent government action against protesting monks in Pakkoku rents the Burmese air.

The social and economic policies of the junta, in speeches by monks, are said to threaten the very fabric of Burmese society.

"If the people are unable to support the monks, the monks in turn will be unable to render services to the laity."

Throughout the course of marches, civilian participants are commonly heard proclaiming the strength and fearlessness of the monk, in stark contrast to how they often present themselves, cowed in front of a barrel of a gun and lost without the leadership of the sangha.

"We [civvies] are afraid but the monks, are not afraid of anything. Without monks the people could not march," commented one civilian marcher.

But the regime is seeking to redraw the battle lines, away from questions of politics and economics and instead has focused directly on what an appropriate field of activity is for the Sangha, an alternative interpretation of the dharma supported by past legal tracts between the government and the Sangha.

The monks are fighting for the people in the arenas of political and economic policy.

The regime is saying the protesting monks violate and degrade the true role of the Sangh as preached by Buddha and related in the dharma and the Sangha should only involve itself in religious affairs.

The regime relies heavily on the Sangha to provide legitimacy to itself as a rightful and just government. Therefore, if there is to be a crackdown against the monks, it is of utmost importance that a solid foundation first be laid as to why the protesting monks and their demands carry no legitimacy and, further, that it is the monks themselves that risk the Dharma balance of Burmese society.

The new Light of Myanmar on September 25 devoted all its energy to why the enraged monks are out of line with the dharma and Burmese law, which is said to reflect the teaching of the dharma convening the role of the Sangha in society.

Burmar is a true Theravada Buddhist country and it is famous for keeping the teaching of the Buddha by members of the Sangha and its disciples," said the Minister of Religious Affairs Bri-General Thura Myint Maung. He requested Sangha leaders "to give instructions for the sake of the country, the religion and the Sasana."

"Failure to observe or obey the Dhamma order will be met with action according to law," continued the minister, adding that opposition elements are abusing and using "young monks who have to knowledge of social and political affairs as related to the Buddha's teachings."

This question of the role of monks in civil society is not limited to Burma.The same, often highly confrontational and animated debates, take place throughout much of the Buddhist world - including in both Thailand and Sri Lanka .

At this stage, it appears the military in Burma has a long, uphill road to climb if it is to successfully de-legitimize the engaged Dhammmic approach of both the protesting monks and supportive laity.


NEWS IN BURMESE
Protests in Burma (September 26)
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/breaking_news.php

Protesting Monks and nons beaten by authorities (Sound file)
http://www.esnips.com/doc/06fb4765-0e9b-440e-b9d3-141af833a78a/26%5B1%5D.9.2007-12pm

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