Kale authorities impose strict security measures after grenade seizure

DVB ( August 11,2003)

It has been learned that stringent security measures similar to a martial law has been imposed in Kale, Sagaing Division since 5 August. Local shop owners have been warned to close their shops by 2200 (1530 gmt) while residents have been warned not to go out by 2200.

Although the martial law-like restrictions are not officially imposed, respective ward and village Peace and Development Councils have issued warnings while police and reserved fire services personnel are carrying out nightly security patrols. Locals say the strict security measures could be related either to the seizure of grenades and ammunition recently at a checkpoint between Kalewa and Kale or the loss of a box containing exam question papers at Kale Government Technical College.

DVB correspondent Khin Maung Soe Minn filed this report.

Khin Maung Soe Minn : A Kale resident told the following to DVB over the stringent security measures, similar to a martial law, imposed by Kale local authorities.

Kale resident : The reason was, they discovered 20 hand grenades in Kalewa and I believed many rounds of ammunition as well. They seized a knapsack full of ammunition at Kyigon, which is about six miles from Kale on Kalewa-Kale road. That is why they imposed something like a martial law. It is not officially announced but the authorities told all the shops to close by 2130 or 2200. Moreover, fire services personnel and police are jointly carrying out nightly security patrols. Well, there seems to be no one on the road after 2200.

Khin Maung Soe Minn : The security personnel told some residents that they are trying to prevent bomb explosions, similar to the ones in Monywa, from occurring in Kale. Another reason for the local authorities to impose stringent security measures in Kale was the concern that students from Kale GTC, Government Technical College, might stage protests expressing their dissatisfaction over the loss of exam questions prior to the examinations. The same Kale resident gave the following explanations.

Kale resident : Another factor is, we have a GTC in Kale where the students have been taking their exams for the past three days. On 5 August, the authorities at the Kale GTC discovered that the box containing the questions was missing. The students were able to take their tests only at 1200 noon although the tests were scheduled to begin at 0900. After discovering the loss, they urgently started searching for the missing box of questions and discovered the box about 1100, at a location between the GTC and a nearby cemetery. Subsequently, the students' exams were delayed.

Khin Maung Soe Minn : As soon as they heard the news, senior military officers from the regional military command and members of the District Peace and Development Council and the Township Peace and Development Council, immediately went to the GTC and resolve the matter. At present, security forces in Kale have been conducting strict interrogation of persons whom they deem suspicious. That is why local residents are even intimidated to go out during the day. (BBC Monitoring Service)