This Article is From Dec 23, 2014

Myanmar Mine Protest Continues After Shooting

Myanmar Mine Protest Continues After Shooting

Farmers confront riot police at the site of the Letpadaung copper-mine in Myanmar on December 22, 2014. (Associated Press photo)

Yangon: Villagers protesting their eviction for expansion of a Chinese-backed copper mine in Myanmar are continuing a stand-off with security forces, a day after their confrontation left one woman dead and 20 other people hurt.

Han Win Aung, an activist, says about 1,000 police and security guards and more than 200 Chinese mine workers have surrounded several villages that protesters have refused to leave. He says two villagers suffered gunshot wounds today morning. His account could not be independently confirmed, and neither police nor mining company officials were immediately available for comment.

The state-run Myanma Ahlin daily reported today that one villager was killed and 20 other people, including 11 policemen, injured on Monday when villagers protested against an attempt to fence off land for the mining project.

.