Security forces search for protesters photographs in hand

Ko Dee
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

October 3, 2007 - Security envelopes Rangoon with riot police and soldiers scouring the city with photographs in their hand to arrest participants in last weeks protests, which posed a direct threat to nearly half a century of military rule in Burma.

While security forces had earlier conducted random searches on the streets among passers by, local residents said, authorities have stepped up the hunt by distributing pictures of protesters and arresting them on sight.

"They [authorities] distributed pictures of those who had participated in the protests to different township authorities and they in turn raided houses of people who had taken part and arrested them," a local resident, who requested anonymity, told Mizzima.

"We heard that photos [of protestors] have arrived in our local township peace and development council office. But so far we have not heard any body being arrested. If they have to arrest, it would have to be all the people in the township because every one of us participated in the protest. So, may be they cannot arrest all," another resident of Rangoon's North Okklapah Township said.

Most of the pictures of protesters were taken by a police informer, Tin Maung Latt, who under the protection of the riot police and soldiers took photographs during the protests last week, a Rangoon based journalist said.

Security forces continue to be stationed on major road junctions and popular places such as the Sule pagoda. And several soldiers in military trucks also continue to patrol the city both day and night to check any unrest, residents said.