The Myanmar’s military regime has stepped up checks on motorcycles, civilians’ phones, and made arrests on Taungoo-Thanduang Road in Karen State, Thandaung residents report.
The heightened security measures came after the regime fired artillery shells at the town because members of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) were allegedly among the displaced people who had returned to 13 Maing village on 25 April, according to sources on the ground.
In addition, on the morning of 1 May, a youth wearing a guerrilla-style hat on a motorcycle on Thandaung Hospital Road was detained by patrolling regime soldiers, the sources said.
“They (junta soldiers) checked a lot of motorcycles at the Thandaung-Taungoo Road intersection on 27 April last week. They usually take a tougher approach with young people. They are most likely to be arrested if anything they think is political is found on their cell phones. That day I also saw two young men arrested by the junta soldiers,” a Thandaung resident recounted what he had seen.
Also on 28 April, a local youth returning from cleaning a house in 13 Maing was stopped by junta soldiers, had his phone checked, and was kidnapped on suspicion.
“I think more people are coming in and out of the town after the displaced people from 13 Maing returned to their vilalge these days. That is why they have increased security and there has also been shooting,” she told Karen Information Center.
Following the increased regime controls, resistance forces have urged local people to remove political content on their cell phones when using the road and to stay away from junta forces.
On 25 April, two houses were damaged and residents injured when regime forces fired artillery shells at Thandaung town. Another artillery shelling from their base at 13 Maing on 29 April also caused concern, according to residents.
On 1 May, a Myanmar Army patrol near Thanmoetaung village was attacked with mines by local defense forces. After the attack, regime troops responded with heavy weapons, but there were no casualties on the resistance side, a local resident said on condition of anonymity.
Sent by KIC.