Thousands of Burmese monks and other protesters have begun a new march with prayers and chants in Rangoon, despite a baton charge by police at the city's holiest shrine. Supporters say the tide of nonviolent resistance must continue.

Burma's ruling military junta has warned it is ready to "take action" against Buddhist monks leading growing protests for an end to repression within the country. But the nonviolent action has confused the authorities and unleashed massive public support.

Buddhist monks are leading nonviolent protests across Burma as opposition to dictatorship and calls for the restoration of democracy increase. They want the Burmese people to pray in their doorways for 15 minutes at 20.00 on Sunday (23 September 2007), Monday and Tuesday.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has dedicated the receipt of India's highest international honour, the Gandhi Peace Prize, to "the people of South Africa, to the freedom of Darfur and to Aung Sans Suu Kyi", the Burmese leader held under house arrest - writes Anto Akkara from Thrissur, India, for Ecumenical News International(ENI).

Children from Christian families in Burma between the ages of five and ten have been lured from their homes and placed in Buddhist monasteries.