The Burma Campaign UK has received reports from Burma that the regime ruling the country is building up its military presence in Rangoon, as protests continue for a second day, despite attempts by the regime to suppress protest.
Burma Campaign UK sources indicate that military vehicles and personnel are being stationed out of sight in government compounds and houses around the city, enabling the regime to reach all parts of Rangoon within minutes. So far the military presence on the streets has been limited, with the regime relying on its political militia, the Union Solidarity Development Association, to harass, intimidate and even arrest protestors.
“These reports are very disturbing,” said Mark Farmaner, Acting Director of Burma Campaign UK. “We know from experience that the regime is quite prepared to open fire on peaceful protestors. The United Nations must make it absolutely clear that a military response to peaceful protest is unacceptable.”
In 1988 thousands of peaceful protestors were massacred when soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. At the time the military seemed unprepared for the scale of protests, and had trouble getting sufficient numbers of troops into Rangoon quickly enough to suppress the protests. The strategic placing of military units throughout Rangoon could be an attempt to ensure they can respond swiftly if protests grow in size significantly.
Protests continued today around Rangoon, which some protestors being snatched from marches and driven away by security forces. The regime still appears to attempting to prevent the protests by arresting those it believes to be key organisers.
Burma Campaign UK sources have also reported CCTV cameras being placed in strategic locations, such a bridges. The atmosphere is reported as “tense.”
In 1988 protests against the regime began with protests of a few hundred people, and grew over the following five months to protests of thousands before the regime launched a crackdown.
“The regime are clearly taking precautions to be ready to send in troops if protests become what it considers to be too large,” said Mark Farmaner. “The question is, will the international community step in now, or stand on the sidelines until it is too late? As the most influential country with Burma’s military rulers, China in particular will share the blame if there is bloodshed. While the prospect of troops opening fire on demonstrators seems unlikely at the moment, with a regime as unstable and ruthless as this one, we can’t afford to take any chances.