Myanmar tightens security amid Al Qaeda threat

Yangon, Sep 23: Myanmar authorities Tuesday tightened security in the Yangon region, especially around religious buildings, in the wake of a threat from the Al Qaeda terrorist group.

"Patrolling has been intensified and entry points are being strictly checked with CCTV cameras," security minister Colonel Tin Win quoted as saying.

He urged the people to immediately report to the concerned authorities about any suspicious individual or activity, Xinhua reported.

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri announced a new focus on Myanmar, Bangladesh and India early this month. A video featuring Zawahiri describing the launch of a new branch in the Indian subcontinent with the aim of expanding jihad to the region was released Sep 3.

The Burmese Muslim Association (BMA) rejected Zawahiri's statement Sep 5, urging people to live together in harmony regardless of racial and religious differences.

"The Muslims living in the country will not tolerate any threat to their motherland," the BMA's statement said.

Precautionary measures have been reportedly taken by armed forces to beef up checkpoints and monitor infiltration of terrorists.

IANS