10 May 2005

Deserted Shopping Malls

Shoppers are staying away from classy shopping centers in Rangoon three days after bombs ripped through these usually crowded marts. A visiting Burmese tourist said, "Shopping centers I visited are deserted. The sales people had nothing to do and were watching us whenever we move around. Elsewhere, everything seems to be normal. International calls which were cut off immediately after the bomb blasts are now working again."

The bomb blasts which, according to official figures, killed 11 people and wounded 162 others, are the worst to hit Burma in terms of casualties and intensity of the blasts. Another surprising fact about the blasts was the way they were carried out with precision. The junta's radio announced that the explosions took place five minutes apart -- 02:50 pm, 02:55pm, and 03:00pm -- clearly the work of people with access to financial and other resources, familiar to Rangoon and its surroundings, and well trained to do this sort of dirty work.

After reporting the bomb blasts and the casualty figures, accompanied by its usual propaganda and blame game -- naming the NCGUB, as one of the responsible parties for the blasts and for which the NCGUB has strongly criticized the junta for trying to reap "political profit" out of the situation (Web) -- the Burmese media reported nothing more about the incidents except for the military prime minister, Soe Win, visiting the hospitals where the bomb victims were being treated.

A Xinhua report said Rangoon, one day after the blasts, "generally remained calm" with people "moving about normally" although "major shopping centers in the capital remained closed except mini ones and many other small shops doing businesses as usual."

'Hectic Rush'

Yet, there has been a hectic rush to investigate the bomb blasts, belying the nonchalant attitude of the ruling Burmese generals who in the public view are going about their businesses as usual. The Ministry of Home Affairs on 8 May issued a directive to all hotels and inns to report to the authorities "within the hour" the list of guests who were staying with them, including the date and time of their registration, and failure to do so would face "drastic action".

In addtion, all "monasteries, churches, Hindu temples, and mosques are prohibited from accepting guests", and told to "immediately" report the list of guests who had stayed with them between 1 and 7 May. Likewise, all local organs of power have been instructed to send in their "overnight guest lists" -- visitors who are not registered with the ward authorities and who had stayed overnight with their friends or relatives -- for people visiting Rangoon before 7 May. Local authorities are ordered to interview visitors from "Shan, Karen, Kayah, and Mon States and Tenasserim Division" and report regarding anyone they suspect.

More troops are being stationed at important government buildings and residences of VIPs.

The Myanmar Alin newspaper on 8 May also called on the people to be vigilant, saying "the public and monks are to exercise a constant vigilance against suspicious-looking strangers and objects with security awareness. The people are called upon to come forward and report to the security organizations in time if they happen to find any suspicious persons or things."

Monitoring ex-Intelligence Agents, Political Activists

In addition, local authorities have been ordered "to monitor former military intelligence people, their families, and residences as well as people in politics, their families, and residences and to file a report about people leaving Rangoon."

Supermarkets and malls are also advised "to step up security" and be alert to suspicious looking unclaimed packages" and to report to the security personnel concerned. They should "be prepared to immediately close their stores should any explosion occur."

Target of the Bomb Blasts?

Although the official press has said, "the despicable acts perpetrated in collusion by the terrorists are to undermine stability of the State and community peace and tranquility", there are many questions left unanswered. Why did two of the three bomb blasts on 7 May exploded in the City Marts -- at the Dagon Center City Mart and at Junction 8 City Mart? Granted the "City Mart" are the most popular supermarket frequented by moneyed people and officials and it may have been the target because of that. But the "City Mart" is also run by a consortium of Aungmingalar traders, and according to business circles, the daughter of Vice Senior General Maung Aye has major shares in the venture. This poses a whole new meaning to why the bombs exploded.

Published by the Information Unit (1) of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and the National Council of the Union of Burma

NCGUB, PO Box 14536, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. 20044, USA  Tel: 301-424-4810 Fax: 301-424-4812 E-mail: ncgub@ncgub.net