Security tightened at Shwe Dagon pagoda

Nov 12, 2007 (DVB)–Security around Shwe Dagon pagoda has again been tightened, with guards demanding identification documents from worshippers, according to a local visitor to the pagoda.

A sign has been put up over the entrance to Shwe Dagon pagoda saying that people must bring their identity cards to enter the pagoda grounds.
While this rule was not enforced for all visitors, monks’ documents were checked by the guards.
“They didn’t really check everyone for [ID cards], although they were checking on monks. Monks who were unable to show any identification were not allowed to enter the pagoda,” said the local visitor.
Security was also tightened inside the pagoda, and government guards were positioned around the pagoda grounds. "We want to be able to go to such places as the pagoda without any harassment," said the local visitor.
Shwe Dagon pagoda was at the centre of the monk-led protests in September and has been subject to security clamp-downs since then.
Reporting by Naw Say Phaw