昂山素季将探望缅甸铜矿抗议民众

Burmese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons in a pre-dawn raid against protesters camped outside a controversial copper mine in a remote area of northwest Burma on Thursday.

A reporter for the VOA Burmese Service says at least seven villagers, including several monks, were injured after truckloads of police moved in to dismantle and burn the camps at the Letpadaung mine around 3 a.m. local time.

Hundreds of villagers had defied government orders to end the 10-day protest against the expansion of the copper mine located near the town of Monywa. Following the crackdown, many fled to a nearby village for refuge and to contemplate their next move.

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to visit the area Thursday to hear protesters' grievances.

Activists say the $1 billion expansion of the China-backed mine will cause environmental, social and health problems. They also accuse authorities of unlawfully seizing land for the project.