Soldiers and policemen violently cracked down on a peaceful protest against the military regime in Taunggyi, southern Shan State on Sunday.

Security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to attack the five protest columns demonstrating in the Shan State capital, dispersing the crowd by 1:00 p.m.

Some protesters are believed to have been killed, but SHAN was unable to obtain further details at the time of reporting.

“All of the protest columns were cracked down on in Taunggyi today,” a youth protester told SHAN on Sunday. “We have suffered some casualties, including girls. Some girls were knocked unconscious by the tear gas bombs.”

Still, the protester said that the day was a step toward victory, and that they would continue to resist the military dictatorship until they are able to build a federal democratic Union in Burma.

The crackdown on March 7 follows a similar attack by police and military in Taunggyi on February 28. At that time, security forces also used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades against anti-coup protesters. More than 20 youth were arrested on that day.