Akyab, Arakan State: Plain clothes security personnel are keeping an eye and mixing with devotees in major religious places with the start of the Buddhist lent period in Akyab, according to a student of Akyab University.

During the Buddhist lent period, most monks are having problems in practicing religious meditation in the monasteries and pagodas, said a monk from Akyab who recently visited Bangladesh.

Plain clothes security personnel of various departments are mixing with devotees and watching the people in major monasteries and pagodas with the begining of the Buddhist lent on September 3, the monk said.

Security personnel are stationed near the main junction, market, jetty, bus station, famous monasteries and pagodas. So far no one has been arrested or questioned on the streets and these places, the monk added.

Security is beefed near the Atulamarazein Pyilon Chan Tha Pagoda, Mahakuthala Monastery, Adeilhtim Sima, Tha Lone Daw Pagoda, Lakananda Pagoda, Mahakutala Monastery (Buddha Museum), Phaya Gyi Pagoda, Sitting Buddha ( Thet Kya Muni Pagoda), Aye Pagoda, U Ottama's monastery and park, fish market, jetty and Sittwe port where security men are stationed and are monitoring people, said a local from Akyab.

The security operation is being controlled by Arakan State police commissioner U Aung Dine. He is commanding the security personnel, said an officer from the police department of Akyab.