Arakanese communities call withdrawal of junta troops from sacred sites

By Admin 24 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
24 October 2023, Sittwe
 
Arakan State residents have called on the Myanmar military to withdraw its troops from pagodas and temples during the Thadingyut holiday so that Buddhists can freely practise religious activities at those sites.
 
Local residents in Mrauk-U said they can’t visit the hilltop Thin Kyit Taw Pagoda, where junta troops are stationed. “No visitors dare to go there because of their presence. I heard they have cut down the trees planted by us on the hill. We want their troops to withdraw as soon as possible,” said Daw Thein May from Pauktawpyin Village in Mrauk-U Township.
 
Local Buddhists have not been able to celebrate an annual pagoda festival, nor visit the hilltop pagoda for five years.
 
Junta troops are stationed at several well-known pagodas in Arakan State including Thin Kyit Taw Pagoda and Lin Mwe Taung in Mrauk-U; Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya; Aung Mingalar Zedi in Pann Myaung Village; and Taung Phyu Taung Zedi near the village.
 
Junta troops are still stationed at Thone Sel Tabone Pagoda in Buthidaung Township, Thayet Taung Pagoda near Gutarpyun Village, and Maha Zeya Theikdi Aungtawmu Pagoda near Zedipyin Village, according to residents.
 
Myanmar military troops have been stationed at those religious sites for some four years, since 2019.
 
“They are still stationed at the pagoda near our village. No villager can visit the pagoda now,” said Ko Aye Aung from Zedipyin Village.
 
Pilgrims are allowed to visit the historical Thaylar Giri Mawra Pabbata Kyauktaw Taung [Mountain], and Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya, but junta troops are still present in the pagoda precincts.
 
The pagoda’s board of trustees has called on the Myanmar military to withdraw as Buddhist pilgrims have concerns for their safety.
 
“There are soldiers and police at the pagoda. They do nothing to visitors. Pilgrims can visit the pagoda. Pilgrims may feel unease,” said U Kyaw Kyaw, secretary of the board of trustees at Thaylar Giri Mawra Pabbata Pagoda.
 
Thone Sel Tabone Pagoda in Buthidaung was damaged by artillery strikes during past fighting between the military and Arakan Army, and locals have been unable to repair or visit the pagoda due to the presence of junta troops.
 
“Soldiers are still at the pagoda. Villagers dare not go there. All the houses were damaged in the village [in the fighting],” said U Khin Maung Than from Sangoetaung Village in Buthidaung.
 
The Myanmar military’s deployments at the sites of religious buildings, pagodas and temples violate the Geneva Conventions, according to critics.
 
“They should withdraw their troops as both sides are observing a ceasefire now. Local residents have been unable to visit those pagodas,” said Arakanese politician U Pe Than.
 
DMG attempted to contact Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura regarding the continued presence of junta troops at historical and sacred sites in the state, but he could not be reached.