Security forces break up protest at Burmese mine

Burmese security forces cracked down on protesters occupying a copper mine early today, using water cannons and other devices to break up the rally hours before opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to hear their grievances.

Unexplained fires engulfed the protest camps at the Letpadaung mine in north western Burma and dozens of Buddhist monks and villagers were injured, according to several protesters.