Authorities prevent attempted Rangoon protest

Nem Davies

Tuesday, 29 April 2008 16:48

New Delhi - In another failed attempt to protest against the policies of Burma's ruling junta, at least 100 people who had gathered near Rangoon's famous Shwedagon Pagoda were dispersed by authorities on Tuesday. An eyewitness told Mizzima that about 100 people, including monks, were driven from the scene by riot police and security personnel as they tried to ascend the entrance to the shrine, which served as a gathering point for protestors during last September's 'Saffron Revolution'.  "The people were about to go up into the shrine at about 11 a.m. (local time) this morning. But police and security personnel dispersed them and sent them back. Authorities have also placed particularly heavy security around the Southern gate. There are about seven light trucks used by the police present on the scene," added the eyewitness. As a precaution authorities have also prevented Buddhist monks, who took the leading role in September's protests, from freely moving around Rangoon by stopping them at bus stands, sources said. Despite heavy security, monks on Sunday had also attempted to gather at Shwedagon Pagoda to demonstrate, though they too were dispersed by the authorities. < Prev   Next >