Round the clock security at USDA offices

by Than Htike Oo

Thursday, 10 July 2008 13:09

Chiang Mai – In the wake of the bomb blast in the Shwepyitha office of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), members have been deployed in rotation round the clock for security. There was a low intensity bomb explosion in the USDA Ward level office on Sittang Street, No. 6 Ward, Shwepyitha Township, near the Township Peace and Development Council Office on July 1. Security was beefed up at all USDA offices in Rangoon Division the very next day.  "Security in all USDA offices have been tightened in Rangoon Division," a weekly journal reporter told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.  There is heightened security in USDA offices in Seikan, Dagon and other townships, he added.  "Security personnel were deployed at all crowded places, key buildings and Ward level USDA offices on July 7 since 6 a.m. Over 10 USDA members are assigned for security duty at each USDA Ward level office in South Dagon, Hlaingtharyar, Dagon Satellite Town and Shwepyithar Townships," a local resident from Rangoon said.  Rangoon Mayor and Rangoon Division USDA chief Brig. Gen. Aung Thein Lin met Rangoon based journalists on July 2 and said that special security measures were imposed to prevent bomb blasts and other attempts at sabotage.  The day after the bomb blast, the Thai border based 'Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors' (VBSW) claimed responsibility in a statement.  In the state-run newspaper, the regime said that the ground floor entrance, window panes, tables, chairs, typewriter sand telephones in the USDA office were damaged in the explosion but no one was injured.  The Shwepyitha bomb blast is the fifth in a series of bomb explosions this year in three cities.  A bomb blast in January this year near the Naypyidaw Pyinmana railway station killed a woman and another bomb exploded near Rangoon railway station injuring at least one person. A bomb blast in a bus near Phyu town, Pegu Division killed the bus conductor while another bomb exploded in Kyauktada Township, Rangoon Division on  April 20 but no one was injured.  Every time there is a bomb blast, the junta points finger at the opposition. There have never been arrests. < Prev   Next >