A well-known local bar in Mandalay was attacked as a message to would-be revellers not to take part in junta-supported holiday celebrations.

An official from Mandalay Ranger Force PDF told Mizzima that they carried out a bomb attack as a warning on Zeus Bar, which was celebrating the Thingyan Water Festival that the people are boycotting, with a DJ party in Mandalay on 15 April morning.

Zeus Bar, which is located in Chan Aye Thar Zan Township, Mandalay Region, was attacked with a bomb early in the morning of 14 April as a warning and it is believed that some of the cars parked in the compound were damaged.

“Zeus Bar which was holding a DJ party and paying a lot of taxes to the military junta while the rest of the country is suffering from the civil war, was given a ‘Mont Lone Yaypaw’ present,” Mandalay Ranger Force PDF said on their social media – using a metaphor for a bomb attack.

Local residents say that the well-known Zeus Bar in Mandalay has been paying lots of taxes to the military junta and agreed to host Thingyan parties from 13 April to 16 April.

Mandalay Ranger Force said that they will keep carrying out warning bomb attacks on bars and clubs which have been paying millions of kyat in taxes to the military junta daily, money, they say, that goes to buy bullets. The PDF said that they would not take any responsibility for anyone who gets injured at these venues.

The Mandalay Ranger Force has urged the people to collaborate with the People’s Defense Forces instead of holding parties at bars and clubs during this year’s Thingyan festival since the nation is suffering from widespread civil war and conflicts due to the military coup.