Monks hold protest march in Myanmar
The Associated Press / September 17, 2007

More than 500 Buddhist monks staged a peaceful protest Monday in a central Myanmar town, a resident contacted by phone said, the latest in a string of recent demonstrations against the country‘s repressive regime.

The protests began Aug. 19 after the government sharply raised fuel prices, putting the squeeze on already impoverished citizens. The protests have continued despite the detention of more than 100 demonstrators and the rough treatment of others.

Yangon, the country‘s biggest city, was quiet Monday, although security was tightened near pagodas and monasteries. At the famous Shwedagon pagoda, more than 30 men and women wearing the temple‘s security uniform were seen being given riot control training.

The first confirmed demonstration by monks took place in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state in western Myanmar, on Aug. 28. But it did not get as much attention as a second one on Sep. 6 in the northern town of Pakokku that was cut short when troops fired warning shots and junta supporters manhandled some of the marchers.

The monks in Kyaukpadaung, who were on their early morning rounds of begging, chanted prayers as they peacefully walked to the Maha Hsutaung Pyi temple, dispersing after saying prayers there, said the resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal.

It was the first time during the current protests that monks had demonstrated in Kyaukpadaung.