Yangon: Man Detained for Possessing Currency with General Aung San's Picture

Source: http://dvb.no

1^st October, 2007

At a bus stop near 8 Mile Junction, MaYanGone Yangon, a man seen carrying a currency note with General Aung San's picture, was arrested by security forces. Meanwhile, local sources reported that most places in Yangonwere deserted due to the heavy presence of military troops.

A local from MaYanGone township told DVB that an unnamed man was arrested at about 1030 in the morning near 8 Mile Junction, MaYanGone, Yangon for having with him a currecy note of 10 Kyats with a picture of General Aung San. The shops and bus stops in MaYanGone were also searched.

"They checked the man's bag, and they found the note, so they dragged him away. These are old notes, quite rare. The ones found in the bag are said to be 10 Kyat notes. Yes, it was the military. They checked everyone. Some people didn't even dare to go to the market."

The source added that it was unfair to arrest a man for possessing notes which have not been made illegal.

"It's really horrible. Everyone will have notes like these. They will carry them in their wallets. This is just too much. It's not like these notes have been banned. So people still carry them around. Yes, the people are quite frightened. I think it's really uncalled for."

One of the most populous places in, 8 Mile Junction is now a ghost town, said another local source.

"There are few cars. It looks as though only those who don't have a choice are out of their houses. There are also very few people. Buses are only one third full. Junction 8 shopping centre is actually one of the most crowded places in Yangon. Now, suddenly, it's all very quiet."

Similarly, in ThanLyin, Yangon State, troops are stationed at the entrance and exit of the town, and carrying out stringent checks, said a local from ThanLyin.

"In ThanLyin, the entrance and exit of the town are heavily guarded. There're so many of them, from the navy and army. The checks are more stringent than before. When cars pass by, they ask if there are any monks, how many monks, what time they leave, what time they would be back, where they are going, and so on. Every single detail. The security is very tight."