Sep 29, 2008 (DVB), Security has been tightened again in Sittwe after 150 monks staged a silent march on Saturday to commemorate last year's Saffron Revolution, according to local residents.

Armed security personnel, police and plain-clothes agents have been deployed at hotels and guesthouses as there have been reports for ten days that the regional commander is due to visit the town.

One local resident said the heightened security presence was visible around the town.

"In the ward, authorities and Swan Arr Shin members are being positioned, and the army has increased the number of camouflaged sentries in residential areas and guesthouses," he said.

Another resident said locals had been informed that the commander was coming to town and so security personnel were working hard to make sure they kept control of the situation.

Reporting by Yee May Aung