Local Arakanese communities have called on the Myanmar military regime to withdraw its troops who have taken up positions at historic pagodas to allow local Buddhist devotees to freely observe the Sabbath during the Thingyan period.
The continued presence of junta troops at religious sites during the Thingyan period makes it difficult for local Buddhist Arakanese to perform meritorious religious rituals such as washing Buddha images, offering candlelight and observing the Sabbath, locals said.
A woman from Kyauktaw, who requested anonymity, said, “During the Thingyan period, some people want to observe the Sabbath and others want to visit the pagodas freely. But visitors feel psychologically unsafe at the sight of soldiers at the pagodas. They can’t concentrate on their religious acts. Therefore, I call for the withdrawal of troops from the pagodas.”
Currently, military council troops are also present at Mahamuni Pagoda and Kyauktaw Taung Pagoda.
Locals are allowed to make the pilgrimage, but they feel psychologically unsettled by the presence of the junta soldiers.
Ko Soe Soe, a resident of Minbya, has also called for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Kyine Taung Pagoda in Minbya so that residents can observe the Sabbath during the Thaingyan period.
“At least they should allow people to freely visit the pagodas on special occasions like Thingyan and Thadingyut. I heard that visitors are allowed on Saturday and Sunday. But they still restrict free access on the premises. They also prohibit photography in the pagoda. As a resident of the town, I am very upset about this,” he said.
Regime troops are also present at Aung Mingalar Pagoda in Panmyaung village, Minbya Township, and have long banned villagers from visiting the pagoda. The residents have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of the junta soldiers through local news outlets, but the junta authorities have not acted on this.
In addition, residents of Nwar Yone Taung, San Goe Htaung, Sha Shar Taung and U Yin Thar have continued to be displaced due to the presence of junta troops at Thonesaetabon Pagoda in Buthidaung Township since 2019 and 2020.
The regime troops started to take up positions at the historic pagodas after the resumption of fighting between the regime troops and Arakan Army (AA) in 2018.
The trustees of the pagodas said they have not been able to hold Buddhist pagoda festivals because of the presence of the military council troops at the pagodas.
Sent by Narinjara.
