The Burmese military government has beefed up security across the country in fear of more demonstrations by monks and activists.

Local residents say security has been tightened in Pegu, Mandalay, Sagaing, Haka in Chin State and Kawthaung Township in Tenasserim Division.

A resident in Kawthaung, Maung Htoo, said six-man security teams, each carrying a gun, have been positioned in many areas of the town.

A senior member of the National League for Democracy in Mandalay told The Irrawaddy on Friday that security teams of about 20-men each, including members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, local firemen and members of Swan Arr Shin in full uniform, can be seen positioned around the Mandalay moat.

Police declared an official “state of emergency” in all police divisions on September 6 and ordered all incidents of demonstrations and anti-government actions to be reported to superiors.

A senior member of NLD in Mandalay said some youth members in Mandalay have gone into hiding because local authorities accused them of distributing a controversial pamphlet.

An organization describing themselves “the alliance of all Burmese Buddhist monks” issued a pamphlet this week calling for an apology to monks for the recent crackdown in Pakokku in Magwe Division. If an apology is not issued by September 17, the pamphlet said, monks should refuse alms offered by members of the military regime by enacting a “patam nikkuijana kamma,” or refusal of alms, which denies merit to the donor.

In Pegu, a senior member of the NLD told The Irrawaddy on Friday that authorities have increased security in areas around monasteries.

He said a small group of monks threw stones at an office of local authorities on Thursday night, after security men questioned them about being outside the monastery after 9 p.m.

Also, sources say authorities in Pegu have ordered each household to provide one person to help officials patrol the town; households that do not comply are fined 500 kyat (US 37 cents).

Meanwhile, NLD members in several cities say the authorities have increased surveillance on their movements. A senior NLD member in Sagaing said security men sleep in front of her home and follow her when she leaves the house.