The government in Burma has cut off internet access, seized cell phones, and destroyed land lines in an attempt to stop the flow of information out of the country during the junta’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. Over the last several days, many bloggers have reported on soldiers shooting into the crowds, posting first-hand accounts and photographs of the protests. (See the blog by a young Burmese woman named Dawn).

The BBC has been publishing emails like this from residents inside Rangoon and other parts of the country:

Now all the internet connections and phone lines are cut. The government worries that we will send evidence of their terrible acts to the outside world. Our people are sad and angry with this government. We are all suffering from their terrible rule. But we don’t have the capacity to do anything against them. If we do something, we will be killed and our families will suffer. We don’t have any choice, because we are born in Myanmar (Burma). We know it will be over one day. We only wish this day will come soon. B L, Rangoon

The AP reports that “big companies and embassies hooked up to the Web by satellite remained online,” so information can still get out.

According to Shari Villarosa, the top diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, “They have always tried to control information. The photos and videos that are getting out reveal the truth about how they hold on to power.”