Four held after rare Burma rally
Street protests in Rangoon, Burma
Public protests are rare in Burma, which has been under military
rule since 1962
Three journalists and one protester were detained by police in
Burma after a rare public demonstration in Rangoon.
At least 15 protesters waved placards and chanted slogans calling
for lower inflation, better health and education services and
stable power supplies.
The demonstration lasted for about 30 minutes before police stepped
in.
The Burmese reporters, two working for Japanese media companies,
were freed after seven hours of questioning. The protester remains
in police custody.
The detained journalists included a reporter from Japan's Kyodo
news agency, a correspondent for Japan's Nippon Network Television
(NTV) and a writer for a Burmese economics magazine.
'Peaceful' protest
The protesters gathered on a street in central Rangoon at about
1530 (0900 GMT) chanting slogans the Associated Press news agency
reported.
We cannot control our feelings any more, that is why we are asking
the authorities in a peaceful way
Myint Shawe, protester
Public protests are rare in Burma, which has been under military
rule since 1962.
The government cracks down on any dissent and press freedom is
restricted.
"We are asking for basic human rights. We want to show people ...
that you can ask for things peacefully," protester Myint Shawe told
the AFP news agency.
"We cannot stand any more, we cannot control our feelings any more,
that is why we are asking the authorities in a peaceful way."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6387527.stm
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Tsk tsk.
