Burma copper mine protest broken up by riot police Demonstrations against the $1 billion expansion, which is a joint project between the Burmese military and Chinese weapons manufacturer Norinco, reflect a growing resentment towards Chinese companies in the region. Following years of oppression under Burma's military junta, the long-term remonstration became a yardstick for the government's progress towards allowing public protests, one of their main democratic reforms introduced in July this year. Demonstrators have been unhappy at what they describe as the "unlawful confiscation" of more than 7,800 acres of land, showing discontent towards the large number of forced evictions to pave way for the mine's expansion. Shin Oattama, a local Buddhist monk described police setting fire to camps at around 3am on Thursday morning, while other witnesses have said that they turned up to the site in "truckloads." "They shot some sort of canisters that caused fire at the camp," said Mr Oattama. We just don't know what sort of weapon it was. We are now seeking refuge at a nearby village. There's no ambulance, no doctor to take care of the injured. Contrary to evidence and witness reports, the Burmese authorities claim that no chemical weapons were used by the police. The incident came just hours before Aung San Suu Kyi's proposed visit to the site. The General Secretary for the National League for Democracy had planned to speak with protesters about their grievances on Thursday afternoon.