An interview with a local resident from Sagaing about the burning and destruction of Min Gun village where the famous historic Mingun Bell, Mingun Pahtodawgyi and Mya Thein Tan Pagoda are located.
On 23 July, the military council soldiers entered Min Gun village, home to the famous historic Mingun Bell and Pahtodawgyi, as well as Shar Yaung village near Mya Thein Tan village in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region. They burned and destroyed houses in the village.
Junta soldiers abducted nearly 40 civilians who were unable to flee when the military column entered the villages.
Shan-Ni Voice interviewed Ko Mote Sate (alais), a local from Sagaing, who is involved in affairs in Sagaing Township, about the latest situations in Mingun and Shar Yaung villages.
Q: Could you recount the burning of Mingun village by the military council forces?
A: At around 11 am on 23 July, the village was burned down by soldiers, police and Pyu Saw Htee members from Min Gun police station. The military column has a strength of around 100 members. They torched the houses near the Mingun monastery, Mya Thein Tan pagoda, Mingun (south) village, Mingun (north) village and Shar Saung village.
More than 20 houses were burned down. Four houses near the Mingun monastery and 28 houses in Shar Yaung village. Shar Yaung village is loacted near Mya Thein Tan pagoda.
Q: We heard that before the burning of houses, those from military junta got shot. Is that true?
A: Yes. in the early morning of 23 July, a police officer and a Pyu Saw Htee member left the police station in Mingun village. They were shot by the resistance force while at a tea shop. He died. The one who got shot is a police officer with two stars. After shooting the police officer, they set fire to the village with reinforcements. They arrested the villagers. They (junta forces) did not leave the village immediately. They were watching the houses burn. They threatened to kill anyone attempting to extinguish the fire.
Caption – Mingun village in Sagaing seen after the military council’s burning on 23 July.
Q: Who were arrested? How many people got arrested?
A: I heard that around 40 people were arrested. However, the exact number is unknown. The situation remains complex. Resistance forces retaliated against the advancing military column with mines. They (junta forces) suffered causalities. Those arrested are the vendors from the shops around the Mingun Pahtodawgyi.
Q: Is the military column still there?
A: After burning houses, the military council forces withdrew to the police station. Currently, the two sides have not yet fought, but it is still a situation where they are watching each other. They (military council) may set fire to more areas. They will target the public as they suffer huge losses. They don’t dare to go out of the police station, with a few members. They will go outside only when they gather reinforcements.
Caption – The burning of Mingun village in Sagaing Region seen on the other bank of Ayeyawaddy River in Mandalay on 23 July.
Q: There are historic ancient pagodas in Mingun. Are there concerns about potential damage or destruction to the historic ancient pagodas in Min Gun due to the military junta’s burning of the village?
A: We are deeply concerned about the potential destruction of the pagodas. The military junta may not distinguish between historic and non-historic structures; their intent seems to be to destroy everything in sight. The shops near Mya Thein Tan pagoda have already been burned down, and locals are particularly worried about the fate of these historic pagodas. They all do not want to see the destruction of the things they value. They all have to pray for the safety of the pagodas.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: No. I would like to call for the fight for the swift eradication of military council. People are enduring immense hardships daily.
Sent by Shanni Voice