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Rangoon under tight security again
Irrawaddy - October 2, 2009
Wai Moe – The Burmese military junta has again tightened security in Rangoon to quell any potential unrest over the political and economic situation, say sources in Rangoon.
The All Burma Monks' Alliance, which led the peaceful mass street demonstrations in September 2007, recently issued a statement calling for the government to apologize for its brutal confrontation with monks in Pakokku two years ago, in which hundreds of monks were beaten and injured, and to release all monks who were imprisoned after September 2007.
The monk alliance set an Oct. 3 deadline for the military regime to apologize. If the junta fails to comply, the alliance said it will start another boycott of alms offered by all military and government personnel, known in Buddhism as "patta ni kozana kan."
Last month was the second anniversary of the "Saffron Revolution," which lead to multiple deaths and injuries when demonstrators, led by monks and nuns, took to the streets.
Friday is also the day a new 5,000 kyat banknote was introduced by the government. Many residents have expressed fears about its affect on the value of the kyat.
On the first day of the distribution of the new banknote, the price of the kyat fell slightly and consumer prices fluctuated modestly.
"Before the new bank note, one US dollar was about 1,050 kyat. Now one dollar is around 1,080," said a currency broker in Rangoon.
Sources said that beginning Friday morning extra security forces began to appear at various strategic locations downtown.
"I saw 16 riot police vehicles near the Rangoon City Hall today," said a student activist, who noted that extra security forces were also located near parks and busy intersections.
Other sources said Chinese-made trucks carrying riot police patrolled city streets.
On Friday, a Rangoon Division Court rejected the appeal of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but there were no demonstrations.
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