Locals call for withdrawal of junta troops from historical pagodas in Arakan State

By Admin 10 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 March 2023, Sittwe

Residents want the removal of junta soldiers from encamping and living in the historical pagodas of Arakan State, and for people to be allowed to go on pilgrimages freely.

Local people have not been allowed to freely visit the pagodas for many years due to the deployment of junta soldiers in and around the ancient temples, so the residents this year want to be allowed to freely visit the pagodas during Thingyan, the Myanmar traditional water-throwing festival, and to keep the Sabbath. 

“Local people used to donate water to Thin Kyit Taw Pagoda in Mrauk-U in the past. Now locals have not been unable to donate water to the pagoda for five years due to junta soldiers’ presence,” said U Thein Tun, a resident of Waithali Village in Mrauk-U Township.

U Thein Tun continued that the Thin Kyit Taw Pagoda festival has not been celebrated for about five years due to the deployment of junta soldiers. Since 2019, Myanmar soldiers have been stationed on the hill that hosts Thinkyittaw Pagoda.

The military, meanwhile, has deployed troops at a number of hilltop pagodas in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships since 2019, according to locals. 

In addition, junta soldiers are deployed in the compounds of two ancient pagodas in Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships, locals said. 

The presence of military troops inside the precincts of historical pagodas has made pilgrims anxious, and residents and pagoda boards of trustees have demanded that the junta troop deployments be withdrawn.

Villagers are worried because junta soldiers are stationed at Aungmingalar Pagoda in Panmyaung Village, Minbya Township, said a local who did not wish to be named.

“There are some villagers who take refuge at displacement camps for fear of being harmed by junta soldiers at the military camp. Locals are unable to visit pagodas and donate water to the Buddha images due to the presence of junta soldiers,” the unnamed resident added.

Former Arakan State lawmaker U Aung Thaung Shwe said the military camps stationed at historical pagodas should be withdrawn, and the places where they were stationed should be cleared of landmines.

“During Thingyan, people want to visit the pagoda and keep the Sabbath [Uposatha] there. Junta soldiers must withdraw first for civilians to visit the pagodas,” he said.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Kyaw Thura regarding the withdrawal of military troops from the state’s historical pagodas and temples.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has said the Myanmar military’s deployment of troops at historical pagodas in Arakan State violates the Geneva Convention.