Gujral, Fernandes condemn Burmese junta for brutal crackdown

Speaking to the protesters in New Delhi, former Indian Prime Minister called on India to immediately intervene in Burma's political crisis and promote democracy in the Southeast Asian nation.

George Fernandes a strong supporter of Burma's democracy movement, also condemned India for its silence over the ongoing protests and brutal crackdown by the ruling junta.

The protesters, which initially set out in two groups, joined at the heart of Delhi near Jantar Mantar park, and jointly held the demonstration for nearly two hours.

Attended by over 300 Indian supporters, the protest is so far the biggest in the Indian capital in recent days that joins a worldwide condemnation against the Burmese military junta's brutal crackdown on Monks and civilians.

Meanwhile, the situation in Rangoon remained calm with several soldiers and security forces posted in major road junctions and street corners. The heart of the city, Sule Pagoda, remained cordon-off with barb wired barricades and soldiers standing as guards.

The junta on September 26 began opening fire on Monks-led protestors, who have been agitating since August 19, and killed several protestors including a Japanese photo journalist, Kenji Nagai.

The Burmese state media announced that 10 people have been killed during the crackdown, but activists said the number is far larger and estimates at least 200 deaths.

India, which had the history of being the first country to have voiced concern in Burma's last uprising in 1988 when the military brutally crackdown on protestors, has remained silent and issued only a carefully crafted words of statement.