Truckloads of soldiers have moved into Rangoon amid reports of a general troop buildup.
Their arrival followed announcements by the junta earlier in the day warning monks not to take part in anti-government demonstrations and the public to stay at home or risk arrest.
Two army divisions were either already in or moving toward Rangoon from outlying areas, including the 22nd, which took part in the suppression of the 1988 uprising, according to diplomats.
The 77th Division was already in Rangoon but not yet deployed, according to one diplomat in the city who asked to remain anonymous.
Rumours swirled through Rangoon that the troops had been ordered to shoot protesters and that some soldiers had shaved their heads to imitate monks and were attempting infiltrate the protest to spark violence that would then lead to a government crackdown.
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