Heightened security in Rangoon over past few days

Heightened security in Rangoon over past few days
Mizzima NewsMarch 10, 2008
New Delhi – Security has been tightened in most of the townships in Rangoon. Soldiers were seen patrolling the city in FAW military trucks imported from China and Hino TE 11 in many townships in Rangoon. Troops were deployed in some crowded and major intersections, local residents said.
Soldiers and riot police in combat gear and red, yellow and green scarves, are patrolling the city in TE 11 trucks. They also patrolled each township in commandeered Toyota Dyna pick-ups and two fire tenders totaling four to five vehicles with Swanahshin and members of Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in mufti onboard, accounting for 50 persons," Ko Win from South Okkalapa said.
"The colour of scarves varies for each township. For instance, they used yellow in Dagon satellite Township, red in South Okkalapa, green in Latha and Bahan Townships. They used green scarves in the diplomatic enclave," he added.
"Security has been tightened over three to four days. The soldiers with yellow scarves are patrolling in FAW trucks in our township. We heard that these trucks are also patrolling every township in Rangoon. A fire tender is sandwiched between these FAW trucks," a local resident in Tamwe said.
We learnt that three to nine vehicles are patrolling in each township of Tamwe, Kamayut, Mayangon, Thingangyun, Mingalar Taungnyunt, South Okkalapa, Dagon satellite township, North Okkalapa, Hlaing Thayar, Thaketa, Bahan, Botathaung and Latha Townships. There are about 20 uniformed soldiers in each vehicle.
"Security has been tightened in key places such as near Kandawgyi Lake, Shwedagon pagoda, in Bahan 3rd lane and in front of Town Hall. The soldiers in FAW trucks are also seen in downtown Rangoon. The soldiers with red scarves were deployed at the intersections. The FAW trucks are patrolling in downtown Rangoon," a local resident of Rangoon said.The members of the USDA and Swanahshin were seen accompanying the military trucks with two or three Dyan pickups and two fire tenders. The soldiers are wearing red scarves, he added.
The people in Rangoon speculated that the tightening of security was because of the UN special envoy Mr. Gambari's visit to Burma.
"It is very frustrating for commuters in Rangoon. The cars and buses had to stop when these patrol cars came. The patrol cars don't care for traffic rules and keep jumping the red light," Ko Win further said.