This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7004074.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Burmese monks in pagoda protest | Burmese monks in pagoda protest |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of Buddhist monks have marched around Burma's most revered temple, in a third consecutive day of protests against the military government. | Hundreds of Buddhist monks have marched around Burma's most revered temple, in a third consecutive day of protests against the military government. |
The monks were allowed into the Shwedagon Pagoda, which dominates the former capital, Rangoon, for the first time since their protests began. | The monks were allowed into the Shwedagon Pagoda, which dominates the former capital, Rangoon, for the first time since their protests began. |
On Wednesday, hundreds of monks marched through Sittwe, Mandalay and Rangoon. | On Wednesday, hundreds of monks marched through Sittwe, Mandalay and Rangoon. |
They want a government apology for the violent break-up of a recent rally, triggered by protests over price rises. | They want a government apology for the violent break-up of a recent rally, triggered by protests over price rises. |
There have been persistent protests across Burma since shock fuel price rises last month, which have led to a sharp rise in the price of consumer goods. | There have been persistent protests across Burma since shock fuel price rises last month, which have led to a sharp rise in the price of consumer goods. |
Police presence | Police presence |
In Thursday's Rangoon protest, dozens of plainclothes police officers followed the monks with video cameras as they marched towards the temple, witnesses said. | |
Earlier this week, the gates to the pagoda were locked | |
The pagoda was also surrounded by dozens of plainclothes security officials and riot police trucks were on standby. | The pagoda was also surrounded by dozens of plainclothes security officials and riot police trucks were on standby. |
Once inside, the Buddhist monks held prayers, the Reuters news agency reported. | Once inside, the Buddhist monks held prayers, the Reuters news agency reported. |
They then proceeded to march towards another pagoda in the city. | |
The monks have called for the release of four of their fellow monks arrested during protests on Tuesday, which were violently dispersed by the security forces. | |
One Rangoon-based group, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, has asked its followers across the country to refuse alms and offerings from anyone connected to the military. | |
Correspondents say the monks' protests will be worrying for the government. | Correspondents say the monks' protests will be worrying for the government. |
They are highly respected figures in Burmese society, and were key players in mass protests staged in 1988, which were violently put down by the military regime. | They are highly respected figures in Burmese society, and were key players in mass protests staged in 1988, which were violently put down by the military regime. |