Heightened security in northwestern Burma
September 18, 2007 - The Burmese military junta is not taking chances and in Hakha, capital of Chin state, Burma, it has kept a hawk's eye on monks and the people. It has deployed security forces around a monastery and other key areas.
Pagoda and monastery in Hakha, capital of Chin state, Burma. (Photo - MRTV)
"There is no demonstration here like the ones staged by monks in Rangoon and other cities of Burma but the junta has deployed its militia in main areas of Hakha including the monastery", said a source inHakha.
Military authorities in Hakha have stationed members of block councils, USDA and the police near the monastery with two senior Buddhist monks and five monks sent by the religion ministry.
Moreover, one person from each household in Hakha is forced to do security duty on rotation at block council offices.
"I don't think, there will be a demonstration by monks because only a few monks are residing in the monastery in Hakha," a source said.
The situation in other towns in Chin state could not be ascertained because of poor communication service.
Meanwhile, members of National league for Democracy (NLD) in Kalay town, Sagaing division, are being monitored by Burmese military intelligence.
"So far, there is no security personnel deployed near monasteries in Kalay town. However, they (MI) keep watching U Ba Min, secretary of NLD and me" said U Do Thawnga, Member of Parliament from Kalay town.
Today, thousands of monks held peaceful rallies against the junta in Rangoon, Sittwe, Pegu, Kyaukpadaug, Aunglan, Chauk and Pakoku cities in Burma.
Security personnel fired tear gas to disperse the monks and locals in Sittwe, capital of Arakan state, western Burma. Some monks were arrested. – Khonumthung.
