Unidentified people destroyed three pro-SPDC posters on the ensuing referendum in Akyab on April 30, at midnight, said a school teacher.

The posters were set up by authorities in Akyab and pro military groups in an official ceremony on April 24.

The poster is aimed at the coming referendum, describing that violence will not usher in democracy; ruthless groups can't build the country of democracy and finally exhorts people to support the SPDC's draft constitution.

The posters are located near the general hospital; near the football ground and near Rupa quarter.

After the posters were pulled down the Akyab authorities are questioning people they suspect near the place where the posters were located but no one has been arrested yet. The Rupa quarter is a Muslim area and the authorities are keeping the place under surveillance and questioning people who are well-known in the area and young people, said a store owner in the area.

"Akyab is under tight security after distribution of anti- referendum papers and now security has been further beefed up. Especially the Muslim area where the poster was pulled down near Rupa quarter," said an elder from Kundam quarter of Akyab.

"The authorities are trying to garner "Yes" votes in the coming referendum by any means, but the local people are revealing their desire through secretly," said a student.