Sittwe, Arakan state: Since September 4, security has been beefed up across the country, as the Burmese military junta has information that some insurgent groups had entered the country.
In Arakan State, in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Taung Gup, Kyaukpru, and Mrauk U Townships, the army has been deployed. Especially, in Laga Nan Da Zaydi, Ray Kyaw Thu Monastery, Atula Marazin Paragyi, Aye Zadi, Sayadaw U Ottama park in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan and others famous places. Buddhist devotees are not allowed to go to the monasteries after 6 pm, said a trader from Sittwe on condition of anonymity.
Troops in trucks are moving across Sittwe and announcing on loud speakers that there are some insurgent groups in town, so town dwellers should be very cautious and have to work along with the army. If anybody wants to go out from his home after 6 pm, he/she should carry with him/her family list and National Identity Card (ID). Besides, in the monasteries, guests are not permitted to stay at night.
In Maungdaw Township, security has been tightened at the mosque in Habib Para under Bagkagona village tract of Maungdaw Township since September 2. The army has been checking people going to mosques for regular prayers including Tarawi prayers. Most of the people from nearby villages go to this mosque for prayers as they believe that it is better than other mosques. The securely forces are not allowing villagers from distant villagers to go to this mosque, but, they are allowing nearby villagers, said a trader in Maungdaw town.
In other mosques of Maungdaw Township, gathering in front of the mosques after prayer is not being allowed. People have to go back home quickly. The Imams or religious leaders of the mosque are not allowed to make political speeches. They can speak on religious affairs. Villagers have to go to the mosque after taking permission from security forces. Recently, Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman of Maungdaw Township called Rohingya leaders from various places and asked them to take permission from the local security officer, according to a schoolteacher in the locality.
The first anniversary of the Saffron Revolution falls on September 26, while Sayadaw U Ottama Day will fall on September 9. Therefore, the SPDC authorities fear that there could be a mass movement on those days, said a local elder from Maungdaw Town.
