By JURI CHAI – Villagers reported a bomb explosion at a pagoda festival in Kawzar sub-township on March 9th, situated in southern Ye, Mon State.
Speaking to The Independent Mon News Agency on Thursday, a Kawzar villager said that the bomb blast occurred 26 feet behind the opera stage at midnight, and caused no injuries to the audience.
“They are still investigating the case. They do not know yet who is responsible for the bomb,” said a villager who was present at the bomb blast.
Sources say that the local authorities, policemen and the Burmese military opened fire after the bomb blast, believing that Mon rebels were attempting to disrupt the performance.
The Pagoda festival in Kawzar village is an annual festival which lasts for normally lasts for three days. After the bomb blast on the first night, the local Burmese authorities banned the festival due to the lack of security.
The Burmese authorities recognize Kawzar as a “black” area in which two Mon splinter groups continue to fight with Burmese authorities, capture villagers, and demand money.