Defiant monks march again in Myanmar

PAKOKKU, Myanmar, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Buddhist monks in a northwestern city in Myanmar held a quiet protest march Wednesday, the first since a violent government clampdown on dissent last month.

More than 100 monks marched quietly in Pakokku, 390 miles northwest of Yangon, formerly Rangoon, the BBC said.

Witnesses told Voice of America no pro-democracy or other political statements were made, and the monks returned to their monasteries after a short time.

It was in that city on Sept. 6 that government troops began beating monks, who had begun protests over gasoline price hikes on Aug. 19.

The military junta ordered full-scale repression on Sept. 26 to put down the protests, which had by that time grown to include thousands of students across the country.

Rights observers said protesters were arrested and beaten, and an indeterminate number killed.

There was no statement immediately issued by the military government after Wednesday's protests.