MANDALAY DIVISION – Locals stated that over a hundred cases of robbery and pickpocketing happened in the surroundings of the places where there were junta security troops in Taungbyone festival that took place in Madaya Township, Mandalay Division
The Taungbyone festival started on August 24 and there have been many robberies even though not only military junta forces but also armed security in civvies had been taking security.
“The cases happened in the previous days as well. But as today (August 27) is the most crowded day, things became worse. Many people encountered (pickpockets/robbers) this morning. Though we saw the culprits, there was no one to catch them,” one of the stall owners at the festival said.
Locals reported that there were around 50 robberies on the morning of August 27 when one of the most crowded programs of the festival, the event of ritual shower, was held and thousands of people attended.
The Taungbyone festival resumes teeming this year (2023) after three years of emptiness in the festival due to the Covid 19 outbreak and military coup.
The Taungbyone festival is designated to be celebrated annually from the eighth waxing day m of the Burmese month of Wagaung to full moon day of Wagaung and thousands of people from the entire country used to participate.