The military council has tightened security in Magway Region’s Minbu District after revolutionary forces seized Myanmar Army outposts and took control of towns in northern Shan State and Sagaing Region, locals report.
Currently, the army has deployed ambush patrols along the Pathein-Monywa road in Minbu District and increased security in the area, making it difficult for locals to travel.
A resident living near Pathein-Monywa road in Pwintbyu Township said, “The army has deployed more troops and ambush patrols along the road after learning that the resistance forces are planning to capture their outpost. They interrogate people they consider suspicious using torture methods. They point loaded guns at suspicious people.”
The resident added that the military council has tightened security checks in Pwintbyu, Salin and Minbu Townships since before the 1000-day anniversary of the military coup.
In these townships, the military council conducts checks on people from 9pm to 2am, including phone checks. They are also carrying out unannounced guest list checks and night-time gunfire, which is causing concern among locals.
“The overall situation here is calm. They only do it out of fear. There used to be only four or five soldiers at the checkpoints. Later, members of the Pyu Saw Htee militia were added. They are suppressing people out of fear after losing control of their outposts in northern Shan, Sagaing and Magway,” said a member of the People’s Defence Forces (PDF).
The PDF has urged the people to report to the relevant PDF battalions and units about the suppression by the military council and their movements in the region.
The Myanmar Army is reinforcing its bases in Salin, Sidoktaya and Pwinbyu townships in Minbu District and is also advancing towards Kinpunchon village in Salin, according to locals.
Fierce fighting is reportedly continuing between the two sides in Gangaw and Pakokku Districts. The PDF has captured the Minywa police station while the Taungkhin police station has also been abandoned.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.