The township and ward level authorities in Rangoon issued an order 10 days ago stating that business establishments have to be closed at 11 p.m. The shopkeepers complained that the number of customers has decreased and their business was taking a beating because of the early closure.

"The volume of sales has declined sharply. The customers have stopped coming as they cannot sit in our shops peacefully till late at night," the owner of a famous teashop in Myenigone said.

"The business is hardly as good as before. The youths used to came to our shops for chit-chat. Now they do not come because we have to down shutters early," a teashop owner in Kamayut Township near Hledan junction said.

Similarly, a restaurant owner in Dagon Township, with a live music shows for entertainment, said that his once famous restaurant was severely affected by the new order as his customers have stopped coming to his shop for fear of being arrested when they go out late at night.

"I have two shops. Now I have to close one. The customers have stopped late night outings for fear of being arrested," he said.

Though the reason behind the new ban is still unclear, shopkeepers speculated that it was aimed at preventing fresh unrest with the anniversary of last year's September saffron revolution.

"Though they have not given any reason for the new order, I think, it is to prevent fresh unrest akin to last September's uprising," Htay Hlaing, a restaurant owner in Lanmadaw Township, said.

"They said this month is crucial. In September, it seems they don't want to see huge crowds assembling late at night," a teashop owner in Sanchaung Township near Dagon Centre, said.

Veteran politician Thakin Chan Tun echoed his views on the new order.

"The order is an order, though the authorities said it is an understanding. They are afraid of renewed unrest in September. Their fear is of the people revolting not of increasing criminal cases," he said wryly.