A secret circular by the junta has directed all security agencies to be on high alert, monitor international organizations and disallow their free movement until May 10, the scheduled date for the referendum.
The worst ever tropical cyclone Nargis in modern Burmese history left over 10,000 people dead and thousands homeless. But the junta announced that it would not postpone the referendum and will hold it as planned on May 10.
International aid agencies and pro-democracy opposition forces are trying to stop the planned referendum to ensure it is free and fair and there is no rigging.
Internet cafés in Rangoon will be operational only after May 10 given the current maintenance work by the concerned department, government sources said.
Vehicles are standing in long queues at fuel pumps in Rangoon, some of which are almost three miles long, latest news reports said. But the pumps can start their operations only at noon today, sources said.
The pumps sold fuel for only two days under a rationing system.
An official from the government energy department said that the demand for fuel will be four fold during this period in Rangoon as electricity supply is cut off in many areas.
Highway transport may be completely halted as diesel prices have soared to Kyat 500,000 a barrel.
Soldiers from Light Infantry Division (LID) 11, 22 and 66 have been deployed at government warehouses and factories in Rangoon. Some news reports said that there was looting by mobs in some areas given widespread hunger and scarcity of drinking water and food.
Water supply from Gyophyu reservoir has been restored since last night.
People were seen removing debris left by the devastating tropical cyclone with humble tools. The storm victims were angry when they saw soldiers removing the debris and uprooted trees using heavy machinery on the state-run television.
Monks have stopped their daily begging for alms as their devotees are facing acute problems since the storm.
Stink and foul smell permeates the atmosphere since the garbage collection service has not yet been restored in these areas.
