What has happened to the monks?

It is so difficult to ascertain what has happened to the monks in Rangoon. Temples and monasteries remain empty, corresponding to the many reports of brutality that have filtered through.

Today, the BBC reported the following:

Our correspondent, who spent three days undercover in Rangoon and met two fugitive monks, heard in one neighbourhood that the army had disposed of the bodies of monks killed during the crackdown by burning them in the local crematorium.

The military government is also reported to be holding monks in disused municipal buildings and even those who applauded the monks during their demonstrations are being hunted down.

The atmosphere in Burma's main city is tense and fearful, our correspondent adds.