Border guard stations and police outposts in Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Minbya Townships have been merged for security reason on March 10.

“We merged them for security concerns,” Rakhine State Police Chief Col Kyi Linn said.

Police from Ohe Phauk and Chut Pyin border guard posts in Rathedaung, Nga Khu Ywar Thit and Kappa Kaung in Maungdaw, Zedi Taung in Buthidaung and Pan Myaung in Minbya were withdrawn to consolidate with other police stations, according to the Rakhine State Police and relevant administrators.

A Security force from Pan Myaung had to move to Minbya town because they were lacking security, he said, but he did not elaborate on other posts.

Zedi Taung police outposts in Buthidaung was relocated to Nwayone Taung on the evening of March 10, said U Kyaw Than, administrator of Zethidaung village.

“We don’t know exactly why they relocated. I’ve heard that their superiors ordered them yesterday to move. That’s why they were relocating. They are not here now,” he said.

The consolidation of police outposts and border guard post come in the wake of the AA’s attack on the Yoe Ta Yoke police outpost in Ponnagyun Township on March 9.

“It is just merging smaller outposts that have fewer security force members. I think they’re making preparations because of the attack on Yoe Ta Yoke yesterday,” said U Ye Htoo, deputy administrator of Maungdaw District.

The attack on March 9 at Yoe Ta Yoke police outpost killed nine police. The AA launched coordinated attacks on four border police outposts in Buthidaung Township in January, killing 13 and injuring 9 others.