Six cases including traffic accidents, fighting and a death, occurred in Mon State during the recent five-day Thingyan Festival.
Of the six cases, four were vehicle accidents, one was an assault and one case resulted in a death, while ten people were wounded from accidents and fighting.
Mon State Government issued an announcement regarding the Thingyan Festival rules at the Myanmar Traditional Maha Thingyan coordination meeting. The announcement covered 15 points including banning sticks, knives and weapons and urging people to not throw the water harshly as it might hurt or wound someone.
“We categorize the cases into two types. The cases taken place from 6 AM to 6 PM are Thingyan cases. The rest are prevention cases,” said U Win Aung, Chief Police of Mon State.
The Police Chief U Win Aung added that during the Thingyan festival day hours, the festival participants accepted checking by the police affably. They also sought no problems when the police seized their sticks, knives and flags at the respective festival locations. No incidents occurred on the first day of Thingyan and last day of Thingyan festival. Motor vehicles that caused the accidents were the vehicles of pilgrims.
According to the Mon State Police Force, 35 cases occurred during the festival nights including three cases of murder, 14 vehicle accidents, five assaults, two rapes, three deaths, one pocket picking case and one theft case.
For the upcoming year’s Thingyan Festival, it is necessary to get permission for the groups who play with water on motorbikes to dress in uniform. Each group should have a leader to supervise the group, in order to prevent disputes among other groups, and it is necessary for the leaders, authorities and public to work together, according to Mon State Police Force Chief.
During last year’s Thingyan Festival, 15 incidents took place including one murder, seven vehicle accidents and two melees.
