Protests spread as official dies

An official from deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party died overnight in police custody, while protests were held in at least half a dozen cities in some of the most widespread anti-coup action last month.

The cause of Khin Maung Latt's death was not known, but Reuters saw a photograph of his body with a bloodstained cloth around the head. Sithu Maung, a member of the dissolved parliament, said the man was his campaign manager and was arrested on Saturday night in Yangon.

Security forces cracked down on many of the protests across the country on yesterday.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters in Yangon and in northern Lashio town.

A witness said police opened fire to break up a protest in the historic town of Bagan, and residents said live bullets were used. There was no word on casualties.

Video posted by media group Myanmar Now showed soldiers beating up men in Yangon, where at least three protests were held despite overnight raids by security forces on campaign leaders and opposition activists.

The United Nations says security forces have killed more than 50 people to stamp out protests since the military overthrew and detained Suu Kyi on February 1.

"They are killing people just like killing birds and chickens," one protest leader said to a crowd in Dawei, a southern town. "What will we do if we don't revolt against them? We must revolt."

Yangon residents said soldiers and police moved into several districts overnight, firing shots. They arrested at least three people in Kyauktada Township.

"They are asking to take out my father and brother. Is no one going to help us? Don't you even touch my father and brother. Take us too if you want to take them," a woman screamed as two of them, an actor and his son, were led off.

Well over 1,700 people had been detained under the military junta by Saturday, according to figures from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing is willing to engage with "all parties" to ease the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar and is not taking sides.