BURMA:"I knew the mood had seriously changed as the troops came towards us rhythmically beating their shields, drumming like tribal warriors as they confronted the crowd.
"The people had changed too. They were angry yesterday. The peaceful chants led by the monks gave way to verbal assaults on the soldiers after hundreds of monks were arrested the night before or penned in to prevent them from leading more of the protests that seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago.
"I had wondered if the people would dare to turn out at all. The round-up of the monks was a warning to everyone. But by lunchtime hundreds of civilians had defied the military to converge on the Sule pagoda, and I joined them. There were a few brave monks among them who were greeted with cheers and more shouts of 'Don't shoot the monks'.
"The march from the pagoda through the centre of Rangoon began cheerfully enough. But as army reinforcements started rolling in the mood shifted to anger and panic. It reminded some older people around me of the 1988 protests that left thousands dead.
"Then came the message over the loudspeakers to disperse within three minutes or the army would shoot. Already the soldiers were beating people on the side streets. I turned and ran with everyone else. There wasn't a panic, but most people decided enough was enough and were determined to get away - 1988 was on their minds.
"As I was running I heard the shots. I couldn't see if anyone was hurt, but when I got to the hotel people on the upper floors said they saw a body being dragged under a bus awning. Then I saw a lot more lorries with troops rolling in to ensure there would be no more protests."
From a special correspondent who for reasons of safety has to remain anonymous