TEHRAN: AT LEAST 20 KILLED BY MILITIA----BUT PROTESTS CONTINUE

B.RAMAN

At least 20 anti-Government demonstrators are reported to have been killed in Tehran on June 20,2009, when the Basij militia and the Revolutionary Guards opened fire to prevent demonstrations in support of the call for the annulment of the Presidential elections of June 12 and for holding a fresh poll. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared elected for a second term in the elections. His victory has not been accepted by his opponents, who have alleged widespread rigging by the Government machinery.

2. Despite the use of lethal force by the Government to disperse the demonstrators on June 20,2009 and the resulting deaths, the supporters of Mir Housain Mousavi,the reformist leader, who came second in the elections as per the disputed official results, are going ahead with plans for another day of protests on June 21,2009. The Government has not so far used the Army against the protesters.
3. Some of the latest Tweets are given below:

Mousavi we will stand beside you - we will die beside you - Allah Akbar.

It is dawn- we go to pray to Allah - pls people of the world pray with us - God is but one - Allah .

Again we thank you for support - pls see our vidoe links for vioolence in Tehran today.

Mousavi - we have gone too far to stop now.

We have no confirmation of tank in Tehran - that is a rumor from Gov.

We must rest - Tehran is burning with the fire of freedom - but tomorow we fight again - we have injured ppl.

Rafsanjani has stayed silent until now - he has the support of the army - our hope is that the army will protect us.

Mousavi calls on Sea of Green - DO NOT act violently.

Confirmed - Bank Melli hospital Tehran - at least 9 dead.

Confirmed - Rasoul Hospital Tehran - at least 11 dead.

Confirmed - hospital source - hundrends injured Saturday.

We know that the army is not ready to kill the people of Iran.

We are the bird of freedom of Iran - but we have no wing without you Allah - peace be upon you.

Brothers and sisters were killed before our eyes today - the innocent blood of the martyrs of Allah.

We have no future - no life - no hope - without you Allah - our creator - our leader.

Hojateleslam bin Moslemin Rafsanjani holds the honour of the army of this great nation.

We are of peace for all men - we are the blood of Allah - we stand for that which you Will and decide.

Allah you are he creator and to you we shall return.

We are washed in the pure water of heaven and stand before you Allah to be martryred . (21-6-09)

( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For TopicalStudies, Chennai. E-Mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )