Red Alert in Rangoon

By MIN LWIN

Burmese security forces, including firefighters and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan Arr Shin, have been deployed around Rangoon’s main streets and landmarks, wearing red cravats around their necks as a sign of a heightened state of alert.

It is widely believed that security has been tightened to prevent a recurrence of the events of September 18 last year when an estimated 400 Buddhist monks marched from Shwedagon Pagoda to protest the military authorities’ alleged use of violence against monks in Pakokku Township, which led to mass demonstrations across the country.

According to sources in Rangoon, the security forces, including members of the USDA and Swan Ah Shin, were posted around Shwedagon Pagoda and Rangoon City Hall, two of the focal points for last year’s demonstrations.

“The USDA and Swan-Arh-Shin have set up road blocks in the outskirts of the city,” a resident said. “They are stopping cars, buses, taxis and passers-by, and checking everyone.”

She recalled that on this date last year, security forces had been wearing blue cravats, signifying a mid-level alert, whereas today they were sporting bright red cravats around the collars of their green uniforms.

Another resident said that riot police had been deployed around many of Rangoon’s well-known monasteries.

He said that plainclothes police and members of the USDA encircled Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in South Okkalapa Township three days ago.

Meanwhile, Internet users found that connection speeds had been reduced drastically as authorities stepped up monitoring of suspects.

“We cannot even sit in an Internet café in comfort,” a senior monk in Rangoon said. “The authorities stare at us like we are terrorists.”