Hundreds of Buddhist monks clashed with security forces in central Myanmar, state media informed on Friday.

According to the government-owned newspaper New Light of Myanmar, hundreds of monks protested in Pakokku on Wednesday and scuffled with soldiers, who fired warning shots to disperse the angry mob.

The monks are displeased with the recent fuel price hikes and the arrests of dozens of protesters in Yangon. About 100 persons were detained in Myanmar’s largest city after demonstrating against the rise of fuel prices and inflation.

On Thursday, military personnel from the Magway Division went to a monastery in Pakokku, but they were greeted with stones by monks, who also torched their vehicle. After staying several hours in the monastery, the military officials managed to escape the monks’ wrath.

This is the first time when state media publishes reports about the feud between monks and government forces.

The rage-driven monks continued their attacks against government representatives on Friday, witnesses saying a group of Buddhist monks attacked a store reportedly owned by a government official in the same volatile town of Pakokku, located 530 kilometres north of Yangon.

Throughout time, monks joined the political struggle in Myanmar and participated at numerous protests against the government. Almost two decades ago, a demonstration organized by monks and students turned into a riot that caused numerous victims.

The core of these protests is the way Myanmar’s military junta administers the economy, people blaming the military for banning foreign investments. After the bloody clashes of 1988, some foreign investors were allowed to operate in the Asian country, but the people's discontent continues to rise hand in hand with inflation.

Even so, the international community cut off ties with Myanmar, the military regime being condemned for repeated human rights violations.