Protesting Burmese monks today urged the United Nations to intervene immediately into the situation in Burma as there are signs of the junta gearing up for a brutal crack down.

The All Burma Buddhist Monks Union, in a letter addressed to the UN chief Ban Ki-moon, appealed to the world body to immediately intervene in Burma in order to avoid large scale bloodshed in what would be a repetition of the 1988 uprising, where thousands of students, monks and civilians were brutally killed by the ruling junta.

“While we are carrying out activities with an understanding that it is the duty of the citizens to bring about changes in our country, the military junta instead of complying with our demands peacefully, are gearing up for a brutal crackdown,” The Monks Union said.

“Therefore, we urge you to immediately intervene in helping the Burmese people to elect a new leader that will be acceptable by all, instead of waiting until there is bloodshed and chaos before acting,” the Monks Union added.

The monks union’s call came as monks and civilians today continued the second day of the nation-wide protests in Burma, despite the junta’s warning that it would ‘take action’.

Eyewitnesses said, more than 1, 50,000 people – monks, students, and civilians - today protested in former capital of Burma. Students were also seen hoisting the fighting peacock flag, a symbol student revolution.

The protest, which extended to more than 10 cities, towns and villages across Burma, demanded the release of political prisoners including detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, better living condition and a dialogue that would kick-start national reconciliation process.

In the first response to the ongoing protests led by the monks, the junta in its state-run television last night broadcast a warning saying it will take ‘take action’ against protesters.

As a step towards security, several military trucks loaded with soldiers were seen moving towards downtown Rangoon, eyewitnesses said.

Interestingly, sources close to the military establishment said there was diverse opinion among the top brass of the military clique, on using violent methods to crackdown on protesters.

While Senior General Than Shwe, Burma’s military supremo, wanted to open fire on peaceful protesters in a similar to what the army did 19 years ago, several military divisional commanders including Rangoon military divisional commander, Northwestern Military divisional commander and Northeastern military divisional commander disagreed with him, the source said.

However, the information could not be independently verified.

Just as the junta is reported to be gearing up for a massive crackdown, another rumor is doing the rounds in Rangoon that the junta in order to blackout communication will shut-down one of the country’s only two Internet Service provider, Myanmar teleport, earlier known as Bagan Cybertech.

“It might be possible that the junta will shut-down internet connections tonight. Even now we are experiencing weak connection. Phone lines are bad too, even local phones are sometimes inaccessible.” a resident in Rangoon told Mizzima.

He added that he saw about seven military trucks with at least 30 soldiers in uniforms in each of them in front of the City Hall in downtown Rangoon.

Meanwhile, the International Crisis Group, an independent NGO, said the UN chief should start talking to foreign ministers of China, India and Singapore, the current Asean chair, on the sidelines of the ongoing 62nd UN General Assembly, and initiate a joint attempt that would encourage peaceful dialogue in Burma.

The group also urged China, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to back Ban Ki-moon and put their full weight behind UN efforts to find a solution to Burma’s political crisis.

“Only China, India, and, to a lesser degree, ASEAN have any influence on the military regime,” said the group in a statement release today.

The only way to stop the Burmese junta from responding to the ongoing protest with a brutal crackdown, the UN should send in peacekeeping forces to Burma in order to stop bloodshed and chaos, an exiled Burmese activist said.

Cheery Zahau, coordinator of the Women’s League of Chinland based in India- Burma border said, “Unless the UN sends in its peace keeping force, Burma’s situation will get worse and result in lost of numerous lives.”

“So, peacekeeping force should be sent in as has been done in African nations to neutralize the situation where the junta will not be allowed to act rampantly.”