Burma's military government says its security forces killed nine people and wounded 11 others in Rangoon on the second day of a bloody crackdown against protesters.
Thursday's announcement by state television followed witnesses' reports that security forces had fired into crowds of pro-democracy protesters. Up to 70,000 people are believed to have taken part in the largest demonstration against military rule in nearly 20 years.
Some witnesses say the troops fired automatic weapons as they dispersed crowds in several parts of Rangoon, Burma's largest city. A Japanese journalist is among the dead, and there are unconfirmed reports that another Buddhist monk was killed Thursday.
Before the shooting started Thursday, soldiers marched through the city warning that they would shoot those who did not disperse. They had raided Buddhist monasteries hours earlier, detaining at least 100 monks as suspected protest leaders.
Members of the opposition National League for Democracy also say two prominent members of the party, spokesman Myint Thein and senior member Hla Pe, were arrested early Thursday.
Burmese state media accused protesters, including monks, of using intimidation and violence and said more than 30 security personnel had been injured by bricks, sticks and knives.
Witnesses reported soldiers with shields and batons charged and fired on 10,000 or more demonstrators who had gathered near the Sule Pagoda to call for peace and freedom.
The protests in Burma began last month after the military abruptly raised fuel prices by 100 percent. They have since expanded into countrywide demonstrations against 45 uninterrupted years of military rule.
In the face of protests swelling in size each day, government forces began shooting on Wednesday. Authorities in Rangoon say one person died, but others who were present say gunfire killed at least five people. - VOA News
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