Burma Protests: the Situation on October 03

Rangoon—Burma's military authorities have released 80 monks who were rounded up last week in the Rangoon crackdown, Reuters reported on Wednesday. One of the freed monks told the news agency that he and 79 monks were returned to their Mingle Yuma monastery in Rangoon. The monk says they were held at a government technical institute in northern Rangoon's Insein Township, and subjected to verbal—but not physical—abuse during interrogations.

Burma Protests: the Situation on October 02

Rangoon, evening—A UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari met detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for a second time, hours after an audience with Burma's military leader Tuesday. The UN's special envoy met with Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye as well as other leading generals in the ruling coterie in the junta's remote new capital, Naypyidaw, two foreign diplomats told The Associated Press. No details of Gambari's meetings were available.

Naypyidaw—Ibrahim Gambari, the UN's special envoy to Burma, met with Snr-Gen Than Shwe on Tuesday morning in the junta's remote new capital, Naypyidaw, two foreign diplomats told The Associated Press. No details of the meeting were available. Meanwhile the 9 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew was scaled back to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Burma Protests: the Situation on October 01

Rangoon; 5 p.m.—About 70 of those arrested in recent protests were released on Monday at about 5 p.m., according to sources in Rangoon. Authorities told family members to go to the office of Hlaing Township Peace and Development Council at 5 p.m. to collect their detained relatives.

Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division; morning—Monks in Kyaukpadaung Township of Mandalay Division refused to accept alms offered by local State Peace and Development Council members on Monday. The monks are maintaining their patam nikkujjana kamma (a boycott of alms from members of the military regime) which they officially started on September 18, according to a monk at Kay Mar Thi Wun Monastery in Kyaukpadaung.

On Monday morning the security forces surrounded the monastery, but then withdrew after residents gathered to confront them.

Many of the novices and young monks who study at the monastery have gone back to their homes as their families were worried they would be arrested or attacked by the authorities.

Security in Mandalay remains tight.

Rangoon—Win Ko Ko Latt, a 27 year-old journalist from the Weekly Eleven News Journal has been missing since September 27. He was covering a demonstration in front of State High School No.3 in Mingalataungnyunt Township in Rangoon when the security forces opened fire on the demonstrators, an editor from Weekly Eleven News Journal told The Irrawaddy on Monday. The editor said that they have checked his name on the death list at Rangoon General Hospital but his name was not found. At the time he went missing, Win Ko Ko Latt was carrying a camera.

Downtown Rangoon; midday—Security forces around the Sule Pagoda in central Rangoon and at other downtown locations are searching people for cameras. Anyone found with a camera is detained and led away, according to one eyewitness. Passengers on city buses are also being searched.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 30

Mandalay; 1:30 p.m.—About 100 motorcyclists held a demonstration in Mandalay at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to residents. The motorcyclists rode around Roads 35 and 73, close to Mandalay University and Mandalay railway station. Authorities arrested the motorcycling demonstrators at about 4: 15 p.m.

Security has been beefed up in the city of Mandalay. Three military trucks carrying soldiers and another five trucks carrying members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the paramilitary group Swan Ah Shin drove around the city.

Sanchaung Township, Rangoon; late afternoon—Three military trucks carrying soldiers drove around two monasteries in Sanchaung Township on Sunday afternoon, but soon left after residents gathered to confront them.

Rangoon; midday—UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari has met with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as military government leaders, according to The Associated Press quoting diplomats. Gambari met the top generals in the new capital of Naypyidaw where he stayed overnight. The envoy was taken to the State Guest House on University Avenue in Rangoon for a meeting with Suu Kyi, said the diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

Rangoon; Sunday afternoon—At least three local journalists have disappeared or have been arrested in recent days, while one other journalist was confirmed arrested on Friday. Min Zaw, who works for the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper, was taken from his home on Friday. The Associated Press quoted authorities saying that his mobile phone was confiscated but he was allowed to bring a change of clothing as well as medicine. The 56-year-old journalist suffers from diabetes and hypertension. According to AP, he was to be held temporarily for questioning. Min Zaw was reporting on the ongoing demonstrations against the military regime but was not involved in any political activity.

The three other journalists: Kyaw Zeya Tun, 23, from The Voice journal; Nay Lin Aung, 20, from the 7 Day News journal; and one woman journalist from Weekly Eleven News journal have disappeared, according to one editor in Rangoon. The editor added that it was believed that they were arrested in connection with the demonstrations.

Insein, Rangoon; Saturday night—Military troops tried to raid Shwe Nyaung Pin Monastery in Insein Township, Rangoon, at about 7 p.m. on Saturday night, witnesses said. Residents of the area surrounded the monastery to protect it, telling military authorities that they wouldn’t let any military vehicles enter the monastery.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 29

Rangoon; Afternoon—UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Rangoon on Saturday afternoon and was briefed by UN officials. He was expected to head immediately to the capital of Naypyidaw to meet with the leaders of the military government.

Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division; Around 3 p.m—More than 1,000 monks led about 30,000 protesters in a demonstration march on Saturday at about 3 p.m. in Kyaukpadaung Township, according to a monk in a local monetary. Protesters actively joined the demonstration despite security troops and army trucks in the downtown area.

Sittwe, Arakan State; Afternoon—About 50 monks led 5,000 protesters in Sittwe in Arakan State in western Burma in a mass demonstration on Saturday from about 3:30 p.m to 4 p.m, according to the a local resident. The demonstration ended peacefully.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 28

Chiang Mai, Thailand; 7 p.m.—Between 250 and 300 protesters turned out in Chiang Mai to pledge support for the monks and the demonstrators in Burma. The peaceful vigil, organized by local Burmese dissidents, Thai journalists and international NGOs, took place at 5 p.m. at the northern capital’s Three Kings’ Monument. Protesters wore red shirts to symbolize the blood that had already been spilled in Rangoon; they also signed petitions, sang Burmese songs and unfurled banners calling for human rights and democracy in Burma. Co-organizer Wandee Suntivutimetee said, “We need to gather Chiang Mai people and inform them what is happening in Burma.” She added that on Saturday volunteers and sympathizers would meet at Wat Suandok temple in Chiang Mai at 10 a.m. to make merit, talk to the monks and pray for the people of Burma.

Rangoon; Afternoon—Trucks loaded with troops raided the offices of Burma's main Internet service provider, Myanmar Info-Tech, located at Rangoon University (Hlaing campus) around noon on Friday in an effort to cut all public access to the internet. The move is in response to the flood of photographs, videos, news reports and e-mail sent out of the country to the international media and the rest of the world by average citizens.

Downtown Rangoon; Afternoon—At least two people were hit by gunfire when military troops opened fire on demonstrators on Friday afternoon in Kyauktada Township in central Rangoon, according to a witness, who said she narrowly escaped by hiding under a vehicle. She said the demonstrators were boxed in between Anawrahta Road and Maha Bandoola Road. Dozens of protesters were arrested, bound and beaten. The troops pursued fleeing people into buildings, she said, singling out people with cameras. If they were arrested, the troops beat them while shouting, “Is it you who sends those pictures out?”

Rangoon, 12:30p.m.—Burmese authorities announced they are to make house-by-house calls on homes in the area round the Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon, checking on residents. The Sule Pagoda is a rallying point of the demonstrations rocking Rangoon, and many protesters seek shelter in nearby homes. Residents were warned by loudspeaker on Friday morning to remain at home while the check takes place.

Rangoon; around 1 p.m.—Thousands of protesters have confronted soldiers and security forces near Sule Pagoda in Rangoon, a witness said. He added that he did not see any monks in the crowd, but when one monk came to support the demonstration, the protesters cheered the monk and raised him above their heads with their bare hands. The witness said that protesters appeared incensed over the recent crackdown on the monks and raids on monasteries.

Rangoon, Midday—Demonstrators gathered in front of the Trader Hotel around noon on Friday to start a peaceful march, a source told The Irrawaddy. The demonstration will be lead by politicians elected in the 1990 election that was nullified by the junta. A source said they will try to talk to the soldiers and ask them not to shoot at peaceful demonstrators. A large number of soldiers have been positioned around Sule Pagoda.

Rangoon, Morning—About 10 fire trucks took up positions around Rangoon’s City Hall on Friday morning, and about 12 empty military trucks were positioned at Bandoola Park, according to witnesses. Authorities have also blocked a main road with barbed wire leading to Sule Pagoda. Authorities also positioned security forces at Kandawgyi Park and the Livestock and Fisheries office in Kyeemyindaing Township, witnesses said. According to sources in Rangoon, representatives elected in the 1990 election (nullified by authorities) plan to lead a demonstration march on Friday.

Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.—Military troops raided Pauk Myaing Monastery in Mandalay at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday while about 50 monks were praying in front of a Buddha image, sources close to the monastery said. The monks were knelling in prayer when attacked, beaten with batons and kicked with boots before being taken away by troops. The source said numerous monks were bleeding from the beatings. Most of the monks were arrested, but a few managed to escape.

When news of the raid spread, monks from other local monasteries began collecting weapons such as knives, spears and slingshots in an effort to defend themselves from raiding troops, the source said. Monks at all monasteries were urged to stand 24-hour guard to protect the monasteries. The monks said they will defend themselves if security forces attack monasteries, and they urged the public to join them.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 27

Rangoon, late evening—One western diplomat in Rangoon has speculated that army chief vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye may meet the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi soon in an attempt to ease increasing tension in Burma. The source added that Maung Aye calls the shots for the moment.

Rangoon, 7:00 p.m.—Crowds defied the curfew in several parts of Rangoon on Thursday evening. A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew was clamped on the city on Wednesday, but as darkness fell on Thursday crowds of protesters still roamed the streets. At Hledan junction, security forces fired warning shots after the crowds ignored orders to disperse and go home.

Rangoon—The Japanese Embassy in Rangoon said that a Japanese national was killed during the protest in downtown Rangoon today, according to a Kyodo News agency report. Several people were hit by stray bullets fired by soldiers and one of them was a person who appeared to be a photographer, according to the broadcast. A source inside Rangoon said that two foreigners were shot, one of whom was killed. Several international media agencies reported that about 10 people had been killed, but this is unconfirmed.

Rangoon, 4:00 p.m.—Firing broke out in a confrontation between troops and thousands of demonstrators in Rangoon’s Tamwe township on Thursday afternoon. The demonstrators had marched to eastern Rangoon from the city center. Two separate forces of troops sealed the huge crowds off and then opened fire. There is no word on casualties.

Rangoon, 3:30 p.m.—Soldiers entered Traders Hotel, situated in the heart of Rangoon, near Sule pagoda, on Thursday and searched it room by room, according to sources. It was thought the soldiers were searching for foreign journalists suspected of reporting clandestinely on the crackdown.

Rangoon; Mid-afternoon—Thousands of protesters who were dispersed when military troops near Sule Pagoda fired into a large crowd are reportedly heading to Tamwe Township, a participating protester said. The protester said most of the demonstrators are determined to continue their protest despite the danger. After troops fired on the crowd, about 100 civilians were arrested and taken away. Unconfirmed reports say about 10 people were hit by gunfire.

Sule Pagoda, Rangoon; Mid-afternoon—About 10 protesters have been shot by troops trying to disperse tens of thousands of people near Sule Pagoda in Rangoon on Thursday afternoon, witnesses said. One source said the injuries looked serious. Unconfirmed reports say one foreigner was shot and taken away by the troops. It is believed security forces issued a 10-minute warning to the crowd to disperse or face "extreme action."

South Okkalapa Township, Rangoon; Mid-afternoon—Authorities have given civilians surrounding at least one monastery in Rangoon a 10-minute warning to disperse or suffer "extreme action." The crowd, estimated at tens of thousands, is infuriated over a violent raid on at least three monasteries overnight, in which monks were beaten. One monk reportedly died following a violent overnight raid.

South Okkalapa Township, Rangoon; around 1 p.m.—Sources say members of the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Association have taken up positions in front of security forces at Ngwe Kyar Yan Monastery in Rangoon. About 100 monks who escaped from a violent raid on the monastery overnight have returned and united with a crowd of tens of thousands of angry people who have surrounded the monastery. Unconfirmed reports say a monk named U Sandima died early Thursday from injuries received during the raid. Crowds of people were throwing stones at the security forces. Authorities fired tear gas to try to disperse the crowd. An estimated 700 monks from three monasteries were taken away overnight. Authorities have order the crowd to disperse.

Okkalapa Township, Rangoon; Around noon—Tens of thousands of civilians have surrounded Burmese troops and police that were deployed around Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in Rangoon early Thursday morning, after they arrested an estimated 200 monks during a violent nighttime raid, witnesses said. The monastery's walkways were splattered in pools of blood at many locations, indicating the authorities shot or severely beat scores of monks. On Thursday afternoon, one witness said the authorities fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the hostile crowd. The civilian population of Rangoon is very tense today following the overnight raids on at least three Rangoon monasteries. Sources say up to 700 monks were taken away by security forces to an unknown location.

Rangoon; Thursday morning—Troops and riot police raided at least three Rangoon monasteries overnight, breaking their way in and beating and arresting at least 600 monks, novices and their supporters, according to eyewitness reports.

About 500 of the arrested monks were rounded up at Mogaung monastery in South Okkalapa Township, one source said.

The abbots of Maggin monastery in Rangoon’s Thingangyun Township and Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in South Okkalapa Township were among monks rounded up and arrested in the early hours of the morning.

Troops and riot police used a vehicle to break down the main gate of Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery. Shots were fired and tear gas used in rounding up about 150 of the monastery’s monks. Soldiers also plundered the monastery, according to eyewitnesses.

Troops and riot police have meanwhile taken up positions at Moe Kaung monastery in Rangoon’s Yankin Township, sources said.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 26

Mandalay, Central Burma; Afternoon—Military troops fired warning shots and used tear gas in an effort to disperse tens of thousands of monks who marched through Burma's second largest city on Wednesday afternoon, a witness said. He said the monks, from many monasteries in the city, continued their march. No injuries were reported. Military vehicles carrying troops followed the columns of monks.

Ahlone Township, Rangoon; Afternoon—Three monks were reportedly shot by military and riot forces on Wednesday afternoon in Ahlone Township, a section of Rangoon, a witness told The Irrawaddy. The witness said rumors claimed all three monks later died. He said the wounded monks were carried away by fellow monks.

Rangoon, Downtown; Mid-afternoon—Two monks and one nun were reportedly shot by military forces near Sule Pagoda on Wednesday afternoon, according to a witness. Another source told The Irrawaddy earlier that one of the injured died, but the report can not be confirmed. A witness said tens of thousands of people have joined monks who are marching across the downtown area today.

Rangoon, Downtown; Mid-afternoon—At least two protestors were shot by security forces in downtown Rangoon near Sule Pagoda on Wednesday afternoon. One protestor reportedly died, according to people who took part in the demonstration. The source said the soldiers continued firing at the demonstrators, who numbered several thousand.

Rangoon; 12:30 p.m.—Thousands of Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists marched toward the center of Rangoon, according to an Associated Press report. The demonstration followed a tense confrontation at the city's famous Shwedagon Pagoda between the protesters and riot police who fired warning shots, then beat some monks and dragged others away into waiting trucks.

Bahan, Rangoon; noon—Security forces at Rangoon’s Shwedagon Pagoda struck out at demonstrators Wednesday noon, arresting about 50 protesting monks and attacking several hundred other monks and supporters. Tear gas was used to break up the demonstrations. Other protesters were gathering in another area of the Pagoda, according to eyewitnesses, who also saw a Western embassy car in the area.

Rangoon; around noon—Security authorities used tear gas and force to break up a peaceful demonstration by about 50 monks on Wednesday morning at Rangoon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. The monks were beaten and bundled into waiting army trucks. The whereabouts of the arrested monks is unknown.

Rangoon; noon—Soldiers with assault rifles have sealed off sacred Buddhist monasteries such as Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda, as well as other flashpoints of anti-government protests.

Rangoon; Early morning—Burmese authorities have arrested several key players who have been supporting the peaceful demonstrations and offering alms to monks, according to sources in Rangoon. At 2 a.m. the authorities arrested Amyotheryei Win Naing, one of the leaders of the Rangoon-based National Politicians Group (Myanmar); and a popular Burmese comedian, Zarganar. Also, the well-known Burmese actor Kyaw Thu has gone into hiding as the authorities were seeking to arrest him. The military government ordered a curfew beginning Tuesday night and several soldiers have taken up positions in Rangoon, including the area around Sule Pagoda.

Mandalay; Early morning—Burmese authorities arrested at least four people on Tuesday night at 2 a.m., according to a Mandalay resident close to the National League for Democracy. Three were members of the NLD and the other was the well-known comedian Par Par Lay. Those arrested NLD members were: Tin Aung, elected representative (1990) for Northwest Township and Mandalay Division officer; Khin Maung Thaung, elected representative (1990) for Southwest Township; and Myo Naing, member of Mandalay Division. The four were arrested after leading a group of 17 NLD members in offering alms to monks. The authorities also searched the room of Kyaw Zwa Oo, a youth member of Mandalay NLD, and confiscated some documents. Soldiers have taken up positions at several locations around Mandalay and authorities enforced a curfew on Tuesday night.

Meiktila Township, Mandalay; Early morning—Two members of the National League for Democracy in Meiktila were arrested on Tuesday night, according to sources. They were named as Myint Myint Aye, general secretary of the Meiktila NLD and Tin Hlaing, NLD youth member.

Magwe Division; Early morning—At least two members of the National League for Democracy were arrested by authorities in Magwe Division on Tuesday night at 1 a.m., according to a resident. They were named as Myint Oo and Ye Tint, who is a former political prisoner.

Moe Nyin Township, Kachin State; Early morning—At least a dozen monks from several monasteries in Moe Nyin were arrested by the authorities at 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. The arrests came after the monks had taken part in a peaceful demonstration, according to a resident who spoke by telephone from a nearby town after all phone lines in Moe Nyin were cut off. The arrested monks included: U Sandaw from Pyaw Pwe Monastery, U Thihayarna from Zeenalingaya Monastery, U Ottara and U Theikkha from Takgon Monastery and another five monks from Nat Gyi Gon Monastery.

Mogok Township, Mandalay Division; Early morning—At least three members of the National League for Democracy in Mogok Township were arrested by authorities on Tuesday night, according to a witness close to their families. Those arrested were named as Min Thu, Pyint Phyu and Thin Thin.

Burma Protests

Aug 23-31 | Sept 03-12 | Sept 17-25

Related Stories