Burmese security forces have again used gunfire to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters in Rangoon, in the third day of government crackdown that has killed at least 10 people.
Witnesses say thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered Friday near the Sule Pagoda, which has been a focal point of the protests.
One protester told VOA (by telephone) that police and soldiers used live ammunition and batons against the crowd. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Elsewhere in Rangoon, protesters played cat and mouse (repeatedly confronted, withdrew and then regrouped to engage again) with security forces for hours before nightfall. Singapore's foreign ministry says a Singapore national was inured by a rubber bullet during Friday's demonstrations in Burma. Further details about the man were not immediately available. Burma's military government said its security forces killed nine people and wounded 11 others Thursday as authorities tried to disperse tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters. The government said one person was killed on Wednesday. Australian Ambassador Bob Davis says the death toll is likely several times higher.