In many congested areas in Moulmein, such as teashops, government offices and markets, there has been a marked increase in security.

“Now they [police and soldiers] are guarding everything. I have never seen this kind of security before,” said a Moulmein resident.

“Today, I went to buy a book in the Kyaw Kyaw Sar Pay 2 bookshop and I saw a policeman with a gun. The upper and lower markets also had [new] security,” added a shopper in Moulmein.

“People said this was because of a bomb explosion. After the blast they stepped up security,” said a Ngan-Tay quarter man.

On May 27 there was an explosion in Moulmein in the Mying Tharyar quarter. There were no injuries reported and no group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.

New groups of policemen have also been posted in the crowded areas where the Four Stair market, Say Kyo and the Than Lwin Bridge intersect on the Moulmein side, residents told IMNA.

A man from Say-Kyo quarter said, there are increased patrols in trucks in the city by soldiers and police officers. He also spoke of more guards at the Phar Out Ro Ko Gate questioning drivers and inspecting vehicles entering Moulmein.