Due to the increase in robberies and thieveries, the local residents initiated self-help sentry duty to protect from property loss and security in some wards in Mawlamyine township, the capital of Mon State, according to local residents who spoke to IMNA.
According to a young man from Thiri Myine ward, Mawlamyine township, there has been a significant increase in theft and robbery in Mawlamyine township after the military coup.
“The local residents decided to operate sentry duty with young people from the neighborhood. Motorcycles and mobile phones have been stolen in the ward. Residents reported that the incident of losing Motorcycles has been occurring every two days, so we’ll have to share the sentry duty among us,” he explained.
He added that in addition to motorcycle thefts and stolen phones, crimes such as shop burglaries and street robberies are often happening in Thiri Myaine Ward.
As the relevant police forces seem unable to solve the residents’ rampant crimes, the residents have decided to take sentry duty on their own.
“ There is a curfew imposed, so we can only patrol inside the ward. It is also inconvenient for many people to assemble during the curfew period. Thus, we have decided to take sentry duty on a rotation basis,” said a young man from Ngan Tay Ward.
Meanwhile, residents claimed that although the number of crimes has increased in Mawlamyine capital city and many parts of Mon State, in most crimes, the relevant authorities could not catch the perpetrators and criminals, claimed by the residents.
A woman from Thiri Myine ward, Mawlamyine township, said, “ I lost my Motorcycle, and there was no way to get it back. In many cases, I didn’t even hear that the thief was caught. When I lost my motorbike, I went to the police station and reported the case, but I couldn’t get it back.”
Although the SAC Council has installed CCTV cameras at intersections in Mawlamyine Township, it has not been able to solve the problem of theft and robbery.
After the military coup in Mon State, there has been a significant increase in thefts and robberies, not only in the township but also in rural areas.
