The armed organisation controlling the ruby-mining town of Mogok, Mandalay Region prohibited crowd-attracting gemstone showings and the use of certain telecoms services this week following airstrikes by the military, local sources said.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which has held control of Mogok since capturing the town from regime forces in July, announced on Tuesday that it was suspending some telecommunications access and partially halting gemstone trade to ensure public safety and protect people’s homes.
The announcement came the day after attacks on the town by the Myanmar junta’s air force, which caused the deaths of nine civilians and injuries to more than a dozen.
The TNLA’s announcement included orders to jewellers and other gemstone sellers to stop showcasing gemstones at their shops to prevent crowds from gathering.
Notices of the suspensions and prohibitions had been posted in prominent places. . .
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