Four suspected ex-criminals are tied to the ground at a pagoda in Yangon.
They were arrested at night by residents of the Sanchaung district who fear the Myanmar military has released them to cause trouble.
Concerns about criminal activity have increased since Friday (Feb. 12), when the junta announced it would release 23,000 prisoners.
They said the move was consistent with “establishing a new, democratic state with peace, development and discipline”
But unverified photos on social media have fueled rumors that criminals are trying to stir up unrest by lighting fires or poisoning water supplies.
Tin Myint, one of the crowds who held the men in Sanchaung, cited pro-democracy protests in 1988 – when the military was widely accused of releasing criminals to carry out attacks.
“We think the military intends to violate these criminals by allowing them to infiltrate the peaceful protests. Then the military will have a reason to expand their power to combat violence.”
The men were handed over to the police. The government and military could not be reached for comment.
This is just one episode of a night where residents patrolled together, fearful of attacks and arrests.
But despite their concerns, on Sunday (Feb. 14), people were back on the party – from thousands marching in Yangon and motorbike convoys in the capital Naypidaw, to drumming in the southeastern coastal city of Dawei and flag-waving and revolutionary songs in Waimaw, in the mountainous, far north of Kachin.
A common thread running through those protests – the face of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Her detention, on charges of importing walkie-talkies, will expire on Monday (Feb. 15). Her attorney could not be reached for comment on what was about to happen.
Video transcription
Four suspected ex-criminals are tied to the ground at a Yangon pagoda. They were caught overnight by residents of Sanchanung district, who fear the Myanmar military has released them to cause trouble.
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
Concerns about criminal activity have increased since Friday, when the junta announced it would release 23,000 prisoners. They said the move was consistent with establishing a new democratic state with peace, development and discipline. But unverified photos on social media have sparked rumors that criminals are trying to stir up unrest by lighting fires or poisoning water supplies.
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
Tin Myint, one of the mobs holding a man in Sanchaung, cited pro-democracy protests in 1988 – when the military was widely accused of releasing criminals to carry out attacks.
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
INTERPRETER: We believe the military intends to violate these criminals by allowing them to infiltrate the peaceful protests.
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
INTERPRETER: Then the military will have a reason to expand their power …
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
INTERPRETER: – to combat violence.
[SPEAKING BURMESE]
INTERPRETER: The four men have been handed over to the police. The government and military are not available for comment. This is just one episode from a night where residents patrolled together, fearful of attacks and arrests by the police.
But despite their concerns, people were back in the party on Sunday – from thousands marching in Yangon and convoys of motorcycles in the capital Naypidaw, to drumming in the southeastern coastal city of Dawei, and flag-waving and revolutionary songs in Waimaw, more mountainous far. Northern Kachin. A common thread running through those protests: the face of Aung San Suu Kyi.
[CROWD CHANTING]
Her detention on charges of importing walkie-talkies will end on Monday. Her attorney could not be reached for comment on what was about to happen.
[APPLAUSE]