By RICHARD SHEARS

Last updated at 14:52 29 September 2007

Hundreds of people have again gathered in Rangoon, despite three days of a government crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

The protesters have been surrounded by security forces and pro-military vigilante groups.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on the international community to step up pressure on Burma and demanded that UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari should be allowed to meet democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for several years.

But it's been reported that UN mission is facing failure because the country's ruling generals have refused to allow a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

It's also been claimed at least 200 protesters have died as Burma's military rulers crush the prodemocracy protests.

The generals are continuing to defy the growing worldwide outcry over their ruthless crackdown.

There were also unconfirmed reports that troops had opened fire on students gathered outside a school in Rangoon, killing many of them.

Scroll down for more ...

The sound of gunfire could be heard across the city as columns of soldiers broke up protests, firing teargas and wielding clubs against campaigners.

Authorities admitted there had been ten deaths in the last three days. But the U.S.-based Campaign For Burma group put the figure at at least 200 with scores more seized and beaten.

It is believed many arrested monks have been taken to Insen Prison, renowned for its torture of political prisoners.

Inmates are said to be given a combination of water and lead to make them too lethargic to protest about their appalling conditions.

There are also rumours the military is preparing to parade the bodies of dead marchers in the streets or on television as a warning to the demonstrators.

Scroll down for more ...

The authorities also moved to cut Burma off from the outside world by blocking access to the internet and mobile phone networks so campaigners could not transmit blogs or images of the violence.

As Burma's Asian neighbours spoke of their "revulsion" at the military regime's actions, Gordon Brown held a video conference with George Bush to discuss the crisis.

The White House condemned the crackdown as "barbaric".

Mr Brown said he feared the number of deaths in the crackdown was "far greater" than had been reported.

He called on the international community to step up pressure on Burma and demanded that UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari should be allowed to meet democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for several years.

Scroll down for more ...

He also called for EU sanctions to be applied as soon as possible.

He said: "The eyes of the world are not only upon the military junta but the anger of the world is now being expressed.

"We will now step up our efforts in the international community. . . to make sure the democratic aspirations of the Burmese people for reconciliation in their country is impressed on the minds of everybody in the world."

In Burma, the prevailing mood was one of fear and terror - mingled with shock and disgust that soldiers could attack monks revered for their peace-loving way of life.

In the north Burmese town of Myawadda haunted faces stared out from shop doorways and small groups of frightened women carried armloads of emergency supplies as fear spread that troops might be heading to the area.

Satellite images revealed last night that villages have been burned down, residents forced to new locations and troops have been moved in to at least 25 areas across eastern Burma, towards the Thai border.

One anti-government crusader in Myawadda admitted he was one of "many scores" of protesters who had planned the uprisings across the country.

He said: "If you think we are losing, if you think the protests against this government will end because of the violence brought down upon us by the troops, you should think again."

Meanwhile, satellite images showed that 18 villages have vanished from the face of the map.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science revealed yesterday that high-resolution photos taken from space identified burn scars on the ground - "square shaped burn scars the size of houses" said association researcher Lars Bromley.

Additional reporting by CHARLOTTE WILKINS