MP urges govt to protect Mrauk-U cultural heritage

By Khaing Roe La 30 Apr 2019

Khaing Roe La/ DMG

April 30, Sittwe

A proposal urging the government to set an effective deterrent plan as a move to protect cultural heritage sites in Mrauk-U from being destroyed by armed conflicts was submitted in Rakhine State Hluttaw on Tuesday.

Artillery fire in the cultural heritage zone created minimal damage to the bottom of Anauk Myay Htae pagoda and bullets hit a security gate near Htonekan Thein temple and the nose and left arm of a Buddha image on Mt. Rakhamuni, U Kyaw Win, member of parliament for Mrauk-U Township who put forward the motion, said in the state parliament.

“Mrauk-U ancient city is the heart and soul of Rakhine State and Myanmar. Thus, I am gravely concerned about the destruction of ancient pagodas and temples. So, I submit the proposal,” U Kyaw Win said.

Trenches and bunkers were made near Mt. Setyone, at Nipuza mountain range and a mountain near the Yadana Mann Aung pagoda and these places are within the cultural heritage zone, he said.

He also said that ancient stones were used in making bunkers and the sound of gunshots and artillery fire coming from these places could be heard by all local residents.

“The vibration of the explosions of artillery shells could affect the strength of ancient pagodas and walls,” he said.

The lawmaker did not say who dug the trenches and built bunkers in the cultural heritage zone and the launching of artillery shells from the area, and he did not respond to question from journalists about them outside parliament session.

U Maung Ohn, MP for Maungdaw Township, supported the proposal to pursue this topic of discussion in the parliament.  The proposal met with mutual agreement in parliament.

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