Surveillance stepped up after bomb blasts in Mon State

Surveillance stepped up after bomb blasts in Mon State

IMNA
February 27, 2007

In the aftermath of two bomb blasts in Moulmein, capital of Mon State
(Southern Burma) last week, the Burmese military regime has begun
investigations and the police have stepped up surveillance around the
entrance to the capital.

Political analysts are of the opinion that the bombs were not set off
by armed groups opposed to the regime, but the State Peace and
Development Council because it is planning some kind of strategy to
counter political organizations.

An analyst from Kewkareik Township Karen State said "The members of
political organisations need to be careful after the two explosions in
the town. And the New Mon State Party also needs to worry. The Burmese
military can accuse any organisation of causing the explosions."

The state controlled The New Light of Myanmar said they (authorities)
are concerned and are trying to expose the terrorists. They already
have information about terrorists who have been resorting to different
ways to destabilise the state.

The authorities said that they are trying to arrest the people behind
the blasts with the cooperation of residents. An analyst said that
blasts have occurred many times in Burma but the residents have never
heard about the damage caused or the number of people killed. They
knew of very few of the incidents.

Intelligence personnel and policemen are snooping around trying to get
leads to nab the people behind the explosion. They have restricted
people traveling in and out of the town.

A bomb exploded after the Soe Yadana bus arrived at the Moulmein bus
station on February 20, destroyed two seats and started a fire. It was
put out at once.

There was an explosion in the Education Department in Moulmein earlier
and sources close to the office said outsiders could not have set off
the bombs.

Moulmein residents are watching the situation carefully to see what
happens ahead. They are also worried about sending their children to
school.

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