Monks protest again

Monks rise up again!

Oct 31, 2007 (DVB)–Around 200 monks from several monasteries in Pakokku staged a walking protest at 8.30 this morning for the first time since the junta's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month, according to a monk who participated in the march.

The monks marched for about 30 minutes. Wednesday's march in Pakokku was not openly political, with witnesses saying the monks refrained from shouting any slogans. Still, it showed "the sense of frustration and resentment has not disappeared" following last month's crackdown

The monk said that the protest was a continuation of last month’s demonstrations as he said the monks’ demands have still not been met. "Our demands are for lower commodity prices, national reconciliation and the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners," the monk explained.

The monk said the group was not afraid of the response of the authorities. "We are not afraid of getting arrested or being tortured. We are doing this for Sasana," he said.

The monks reportedly notified the authorities in advance, telling them that if a pro-government demonstration was taking place then the monks should also be allowed to hold their protest. The monk said there would be more and larger demonstrations in the future.

"We did not have much time to organise the protest as we did not actually plan for it, so there weren't a lot of monks. But there will be bigger and more organized protests soon," he said, adding "We would like to urge people not to be afraid since we are doing this for good future of our country," he said.

Meanwhile, no word about last weeks 75 minute meeting between Aung Kyi and Suu Kyi.