Burmese Junta Orders State Emergency, Authorizes Use of Weapons, Says Source

The Burmese military government has ordered a state of emergency authorizing regional and local authorities to control demonstrations, including an order to open fire on protesters if necessary, according to sources.

The government secretly conveyed the emergency order to the military, local police and special branch authorities, a source close to local authorities and ethnic ceasefire groups told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Police officials in Naypyidaw, the regime's new capital, issued a state of emergency order to local police on September 6, said the source.

The military and police have been told to prepare for any eventuality and to stockpile weapons, loudspeakers, cameras, barbed wire, bullet proof jackets, red and blue colored scarves, medical supplies and other equipment. Hospitals have been told to prepare for large numbers of injured persons, according to sources.

Demonstrations by monks have spread through Rangoon and outlying cities, following a violent crackdown by authorities on monks who held a peaceful demonstration in Pakokku in Magwe Division on September 5.Tension between monks and authorities have increased in recent days.

Since demonstrations started on August 19, led by the 88 Generation Students group and members of the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, the Burmese military government been preparing for possible public unrest, following a draconian increase in fuel prices.