Martial and a Curfew in Mandalay

[waterly@xxxxxxxxx]

RANGOON, March 19 (Reuter) - Burma's military government imposed martial law
and a curfew in its second city of Mandalay following recent demonstrations
by Buddhist monks, residents and diplomats said on Wednesday. 

    Residents said a curfew was imposed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. in five
townships in Mandalay, effective from Monday. 

    They said Mandalay newspapers reported that martial law was also in
place, effective on March 18. 

    Diplomats said they had not heard about martial law being imposed, but
said barricades had been set up on some Mandalay streets and that the main
market had been closed. 

    ``The government is worried about unrest, so they are being very
cautious about security,'' one diplomat said. 

    Government spokesmen were not available for comment despite repeated
attempts to reach them. 

    But earlier this week government sources confirmed there had been a
demonstration by monks in Mandalay over the weekend. The officials had said
the protest was quelled without incident. 

    Diplomats said the restrictions came after weekend riots between
Buddhist monks and Moslems. 

    At least two mosques were destroyed and several people were injured in
attacks that appeared to be in retaliation for the rape of a young Buddhist
girl by a Moslem businessman, one diplomat said. 

    ``My understanding is that there were riots on the 15th and 16th. It
seemed to be more of a socio-religious problem than a political protest,''
said another diplomat. 

    Sources in the military government had said the monk demonstration
occurred on March 15. 

    Mandalay is the cultural centre of Burma and is home to a large number
of monks. 

    Buddhist monks played a key role in the pro-democracy uprisings that
began in 1988, when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to
protest against the military regime. 

    At the time, prominent monks appeared on television and appealed to the
public to stay calm and pursue their cause peacefully, while at the same
time urging military leaders to listen to the people and not use force. 

    The demonstrations were eventually quashed by the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) in a bloody crackdown that left thousands of
people -- including monks -- dead or in jail. 

    Shortly after the 1988 demonstrations, monks continued to be involved in
protests against the military, especially in Mandalay. Their protest tactics
included a boycott on performing religious services for soldiers and their
families. 

    But since then the Buddhist monks have been largely silenced, partly
through intimidation and in part through offerings given to top monks by SLORC. 

    But diplomats and analysts say there have been some signs recently of
unrest among younger monks who want to see a democratic Burma. 

    Opposition sources say support from monks would be crucial for major
change to take place in Burma. 
23:42 03-18-97