The performance of the Mandalay police is reported to be declining due to the 24-hour security they have to impose on their police stations, according to the local police.

Security forces have stepped up their security due to police stations in Mandalay being frequently attacked, the city being one of the main urban areas which has seen protests and resistances since the 1 February coup.

Police said they did not have enough time to rest due to patrols and inspections with the small number of police in most areas.

Due to the lack of rest time, they are often seen sleeping when they are supposed to be guarding the police station.

"There is no rest time because we have to do sentry duty after patrolling. As the days go by, we are getting tired. If they come to shoot us, that is our fate,” said a police officer who did not want to be named.

The main roads in front of local police stations are closed for the prevention of attacks and security includes bunkers and sandbags.

Police stations and electricity offices have become targets of attack for anti-junta forces in the wake of the coup in Myanmar.

Since March, hundreds of police officers and policemen have joined Myanmar’s anti-junta movement by running away from their units.

Aside from the army, the police are the core component of the Myanmar junta’s crackdown on protests and resistance.