Khatter Non : Rangoon officials have increased security this week in anticipation of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest on Saturday, November the 13th.
“Police especially have tightened security outside the National League for Democracy (NLD),” said Oo Kound Myat Htut, independent candidate south of Okka Lapa Township, Rangoon Division
The NLD is a political party whose goal is to make Burma a democratic country. The NLD won the Burmese elections in 1990, with Aung San Suu Kyi as their leader, but the military regime did not accept the election results and continued ruling Burma under military rule.
Central areas and important intersections in Yangon Division like Seikan Township (on the coast) and Ladar Township have encountered increased security and an addition of checkpoints.
“The increased security has disturbed the masses,” said a Moulmein resident.
The groups involved in maintaining extra security are the police, the fire department, Intelligence and the Quarter Peace and Development Council (QPDC).
“After dark, inspection teams have laid barriers along the road to stop and check the travelers and their possessions,” Oo Kound Myat Htut explained further.
“These checks are not normal. Now they check the names of the driver, and ask them information like ‘why did you turn on your turn signal?,’” explained a Yangon public service worker who was checked at one of the points.
Moulmein similarly experienced tight security beginning on November 9th due to conflict between a faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC – Burmese government) troops in Myawaddy and Three Pagoda Pass which began on November 8th. Moulmein residents are being checked for association with the DKBA and whether or not they are carrying weapons on their persons.
