According to Mandalay residents, the junta troops in Mandalay City have been re-positioned in the temple courtyards due to the news that the Shwe Pyi Soe Operation will launch in Mandalay.
“In the past, they withdrew their deployments around pagodas and monasteries. Now, the news that the Shwe Pyi Soe Operation will start come out. So, they have come back. It seems the army has been redeployed,” said a Mandalay resident.
According to a resident near the Pagoda, junta troops have been stationed on the upper floor of the Zegyo Market in Mandalay and also in the compound of the Maha Thakya Thiha Pagoda near the market.
“Three vehicles entered the Salone monastery yesterday evening, and when they came back out, no one ride,” said a resident near the monastery.
A resident of Mandalay who was checked by the junta troops said, “There are checks every day. They move from one place to another, and they ask people to roll down their car windows. They check people at random in front of where they are stationed.”
It is reported that sandbags have been re-placed in the bunkers at the corner of 12th street and 80th street, 19th street and 80th street in Mandalay City. Furthermore, the junta troops made preparations for defense action in the municipal offices, electricity offices, military-owned banks, road transport offices and police stations, ward administrative offices, compounds of monasteries and pagodas.
A few days ago, two policemen who were stationed inside the Mandalay Thiri football stadium were shot and killed.