The Burmese riot police dispersed thousands of protestors using phosphorus shells, tear-gas and water cannons, claimed activists and local media sources.
The villagers were protesting against a vast copper mining project that is currently underway.
Activists on the ground said that at least 50 people were injured. Local media reported the use of ‘phosphurous bombs’.
Describing the brutal attack of the riot police, student activist, Myo Thant said,
“The stuff from these canisters got caught on the clothes and bodies of the victims. When they shook their robes to remove this stuff, fire started.”
Commenting on the riot police’s handling of the protests, a government spokesman, Zaw Htay, assured that the police had only used water cannon, teargas and smoke bombs.
Referring to the brutal repression of protests five years ago, a Buddhist monk protestor, Zawana said,
“We find it hard to believe now whether the new civilian government is any different from the previous military regime at that time.”
The brutal crackdown of recent protests, comes shortly after US president, Barack Obama,visited Burma to commend the nation on its democratic reforms.
