Reports: Myanmar govt. easing curfew

YANGON, Myanmar, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The government of Myanmar has reduced the curfew in Yangon, the country’s largest city formerly known as Rangoon, to four hours, authorities said.

The change was a rollback of strict measures imposed in the city Sept. 25, banning residents from the streets between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The curfew also banned gatherings of more than five people, Xinhua, China’s official news agency reported Sunday.

The measures were in response to protests rocking the country that have resulted in more than 2,000 arrests, official figures say.

Protesters took to the streets beginning Sept. 18, demanding lower food and energy prices, and calling for democracy from the military junta that has ruled Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, since 1989.