The State Security Forces have increased guard numbers and tightened general security in public places and the main railway lines and highways in Southern Burma, according to sources from Mon state.

These Authority-issued increased security measures began after an announcement by authorities on August 1st, after bomb explosions occurred simultaneously but at two separate sites.  Two explosions occurred in Karen state and one in Mon state on August 30th at midnight, leading to a dramatic increase in security at key places.  More checkpoints have been added to the already high number along the highway from Mon state-capital Moulmein to Karen state, and from Ye Township to Tavol in Southern Burma.  Traveling restrictions have been placed on all travelers, including youth. 

Following the explosions riot police raided houses in nearby villages and arrested at least 9 young men; a further over 40 young men fled from their villages, and to date no-one has claimed responsibility for the explosions. 

A Moulmein University student told Kaowao, "The state authorities' have beefed up security and added a new checkpoint along the road from Mudon to Moulmien and they are checking all the trucks passing by, including those on short trips.  They make the passengers wait for hours while the conduct their checks.” He went on to say that the police have posted photos and lists of names of people suspected of being involved in the recent explosions at the gate walls. 

In another example of increased security, another Moulmein University student told Kaowao that since the beginning of August, in accordance with newly issued orders by the relevant authority, tea shops around the university have been forced to close by 9pm, an hour earlier than their previous closing time.

According to a passenger from Ye township who traveled from Moulmein, security forces who usually guard villages along the Ye-Moulmein highway had doubled in recent times, with combined operations alongside the riot police and army.  He went on, “Along the highway and railway we were used to two guards at each station, but now with the combined operation the number of guards has increased to eight per guard station.”