BANGKOK. Aug 7: Myanmar opposition groups today called for a nationwide uprising to remove the country's junta from power, reports AFP.

"Nowadays it is not for the people to fear the SPDC military dictators, but it is for the military dictators to cravenly fear the people." the major opposition umbrella group National Council of the Union of Burma said in a statement received here.

Therefore we call upon the political parties in towns and cities, the people from all walks of life, the Buddhist monks, youths and students. Burmese communities overseas, ethnic

nationalities in ceasefire, and pro-democratic elements in the armed forces, to be on the alert to join force with the NLD led by Daw (honorific) Aung San Suu Kyi for the historic struggle to completely wipe out the nomination of the SPDC military dictatorship.

"In conclusion, we would like to announce that we have started the launching of 'PP-21' — Operation People's Power 21 — according to plan".

The statement did not elaborate on the plan and opposition officials based in Thailand could not immediately be reached for comment. Junta officials in Yangon were also un-

available.

The call came on the eve of the politically-charged 10th anniversary Saturday of a military crack-down on pro-democracy demonstrators which left thousands dead, according to unofficial tolls. It also came ahead of an August 21 deadline set by the opposition for the junta to convene Parliament or face unspecified consequences.

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is the official name for the Junta. The National League for Democracy (NLD). led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 1990 polls by a landslide but the Junta has refused to relinquish power.

Earlier report says. Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was in a new standoff with the country's Junta Thursday ahead of the 10th anniversary of a military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators which left thousands head, officials from her party said.

The latest confrontation was sparked when the Nobel Peace laureate ordered Junta security guards to leave her compound and they refused, the National League for Democracy (NLD) officials added.

The stand-off came as reports of protests, detentions and security clamp-downs swirled through Yangon, but the streets remained calm ahead of the August 8 anniversary, residents and foreign diplomats said.

Authorities confirmed an anti-government protest took place in the town and said an opposition member had been summoned to a police station and another for distributing "certain papers." . ,