Jury Chai : After the Burmese government [SPDC]’s announcement of an emergency decree on November 8th, Mon State’s capital, Moulmein, and Thanphyuzayart Town have seen a rise of intensive security checks by local government authorities.
In Moulmein, on every road throughout the city, travelers have experienced increased checks after dark. Locals have expressed the belief that these checks are in response to the border areas’ armed conflict between the SPDC and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). Those in town who have been checked by security guards, local police, and the People’s Militia have been asked whether they have come into contact with DKBA soldiers or seen any weapons.
Most of the security checks occur after 9 p.m. Government security troops have placed themselves throughout the important points of the city and besides many road corners.
“The inner part of the city has experienced more intensified checking. We heard they have tried to arrest DKBA soldiers. Security officers are present all day and night,” explained a Moulmein resident. “The authorities are not differentiating between types of passerby. All are checked whether they are businessman or just traveling through town,” the resident added.
Similarly, security checks have heightened in Thanphyuzayart town, a small town around 40 miles from Moulmein. Security guards have deployed throughout the center of town. A local resident explained that the authorities have reported concern about a terrorist bomb explosion in town. Authorities claim to have received news that an armed group is trying to enter town and bomb important locations, said a Thanphyuzayart resident.
On November 7th, the ruling SPDC held elections for the first time in 20 years. The elections were boycotted by the main democratic party opposition, the National League for Democracy (NLD), and other ethnic armed groups. These groups publicly announced that the election was false and only a transfer of power from the old military regime to a new one.
DKBA attacked Myawaddy and Three Pagoda Pass, two Thai-Burma border towns the day after elections. Thousands of refugees have poured into Thailand. In response, the local Burmese authorities are concerned that there will be attacks in some towns or cities of Mon State and Karen State.
