The Bilukyun Bridge was temporarily closed for about three hours after a series of bomb blasts and shootings occured in the morning of January 18 in Kraidu and Kraikhnei villages which are located in Chaungzon Township.
According to a ward Administrator, the bridge was closed based on reports that a gunman was on the bridge.
“I heard last night (January 17) that a bomb exploded in Kraidu village. The shooting was reported in the afternoon. This was followed by another report that the bomber was on the bridge, so the bridge was closed and inspected. Authorities opened a motorcycle’s passenger seat and inspected their sleeping bags,” said a person who was trapped on the bridge.
A woman was shot at, in Kraikhnei village but the shooter missed, and no one was injured. Despite the crackdown, the shooter was not arrested.
The blockade of the Bilukyun Bridge began at 12 noon leaving more than 100 motorcycles and cars stranded. A security official warned people to retreat during the bridge closure.
Mon News Agency contacted the Myoma Police Station in Chaungzon Township about the matter, but they did not provide any comments
In other violent incidents Htay Aung, Secretary of the YMBA in Thanbyuzayat Township, was reportedly assassinated on the night of January 18 by two unidentified gunmen in his village of Kyonkadat.
