Myanmar's military leaders stepped up pressure on monks who spearheaded pro-democracy rallies, saying on Sunday weapons had been seized from Buddhist monasteries and threatening to punish all violators of the law.The Government also announced dozens of new arrests, defying global outrage and new sanctions.Security eased in the largest city of Yangon more than a week after soldiers and police opened fire on demonstrators peacefully seeking an end to 45 years of military dictatorship.Some roadblocks were removed and visitors began trickling back to the heavily guarded Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, the starting and finishing points of protests that began in mid-August over a sharp fuel price increase.The Government says at least 10 people were killed in its September 26-27 crackdown—though independent sources say the toll was likely to be much higher—and that around 1,000 remain in detention centres.They include at least 135 monks, according to The New Light of Myanmar, a mouthpiece of the junta. It said recent raids on monasteries had turned up guns, knives and ammunition, though it was not yet clear to whom they belonged.“Monks must adhere to the laws of God and the Government,” the paper wrote. “If they violate those laws, action could be taken against them.”In addition, 78 more people suspected of involvement in the rallies were being questioned by investigators, it said.Tens of thousands of people turned out for last month’s protests, the biggest in nearly two decades against brutal military rule. The junta’s bloody crackdown sparked international condemnation—even from its Southeast Asian neighbours.
