Yangon Region police are cracking down on groups who gather to drink in public places and announcing their accomplishments on their Facebook page.
The crackdown began on October 30, after a month-long education period to discourage alcohol consumption in public places such as parks, bridges, and roads.
In a single day, Yangon police arrested 108 people for public drinking, Eleven reported. Some of them were charged under one of two colonial-era laws – the Rangoon Police Act (1899) or the Police Act (1945). The laws give police wide authority to regulate public gatherings and behavior.
“In Yangon Region, we use the Police Act, and in other regions, there is [the Police Act]. Sentences will be decided by the judge,” said Police Colonel Myint Htwe.
However, some of those arrested for public drinking have been released on the condition that they pledge not to repeat the offense.
A similar campaign against public alcohol consumption was launched in Mandalay on October 7. Within two days, police arrested 111 people.
