Locals in Arakan State want the departure of military council soldiers stationed at temples and pagodas in the state now that the armed conflict has calmed.
Regime soldiers are stationed at pagodas and religious premises in the western state of Myanmar, including Thone Se Ta Bone Pagoda in Buthidaung Township, Kyauktaw Taung Pagoda and Mahamuni Pagoda Square in Kyauktaw Township, Aung Mingalar Pagoda in Panmyaung Village and Kyine Taung Paoda in Minbya Township, Maharzeya Thikedi Aung Taw Mu Pagoda near Zedipyin Village since 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Due to the deployment of regime soldiers in this way, local people say they are not allowed to observe the Sabbath on days of religious significance.
In Buthidaung Township, junta troops are still stationed at Thone Se Ta Bone Pagoda, forcing residents of nearby Nwar Yone Taung, Sango Htaung, Sha Shar Taung, and U Yin Thar villages to seek shelter elsewhere, and demanding the withdrawal of junta troops at a time when there is no fighting, said a resident of Nwar Yone Taung village.
“They used to shell the villages with artillery. Sometimes they also torched the villages. We want to return to our village. In order for us to return, they will have to rebuild our houses. They have to clear landmines and withdraw the junta troops from the religious sites. We want them to withdraw their troops from the villages and pagodas during this ceasefire period,” he said.
The residents of these villages have been staying in the IDP camps in Lanma, Buthidaung, Myataung and Yan Aung Myay for years.
In addition, residents of Panmyaung village are not allowed to visit the pagoda on the hill because junta troops are stationed at Aung Mingalar Pagoda, according to a villager.
“We local residents have many times called for the withdrawal of troops from the religious site, but to no avail. As the Thingyin period approaches, people want to visit the pagoda. We want to hold charity events in the pagoda of our village,” he said.
Although regime soldiers are stationed in Kyauktaw Tuang, residents are allowed to visit the pagoda on the hill.
In addition, troops from the military council have been stationed on Mahamuni Hill since June 2022. However, locals said junta troops will temporarily withdraw from the religious site for five days during the March 3- 7 festival so people can visit peacefully.
In Minbya, regime troops are still stationed at Kyine Taung and only allow people to visit the pagoda at certain times on weekends, according to a Minbya resident.
“They allow people to visit the pagoda for about five hours from 8 am to 5 pm. They don’t check visitors, but they aren’t allowed to take photos of the area,” he said.
In Rathedaung Township, the trustees of Maharzeya Thikedi Aung Taw Mu Pagoda also sent a letter to the junta administration, demanding the withdrawal of border guards from Hmyaw Hill 19 February on the grounds of implementing religious activities.
Since the ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the military council in Arakan State has been in place for about three months, the regime’s troops should no longer be in the religious sites, the locals demand.
Sent by Narinjara News.