Sittwe: The Burmese military authorities forced two monks to return to their hometowns from monasteries in Sittwe because they were suspected of involvement in leading attempts to demonstrate in Sittwe recently.

"A monk belonging to Sitta Thuka monastery was sent to Ann Town and another monk from Ten Kho monastery was sent back to Mrauk U because the authorities suspected they were involved in leading recent attempts by monks to stage anti-government demonstrations," a monk close to them said.

The monk from Sitta Thuka monastery was identified as U Pai Nyathuka and the second monk from Ten Kho was identified as U Tayza Dhama.

"I heard U Tayza Dhama and U Pai Nyathukha had not been allowed by authorities to travel anywhere from their towns after arriving home, and some intelligence agents are closely monitoring them," the monk said.

According to a monk the authorities forced the monks to return home after suspecting that they are leaders of monks in Sittwe and have the ability to lead monks in public demonstrations.

 "Other monks in Sittwe are also worried because they may face the same action in future if they attempt to stage anti-government demonstrations. But monks in Sittwe are not afraid and are trying to stage demonstrations in the streets of Sittwe," the monk said.

Monks in Sittwe made at least three attempts to stage protests in the last two months, but each time their efforts were foiled by the authorities.
 
The Burmese Army authorities are still beefing up security in Sittwe and many armed personnel continue to be deployed in key places in Sittwe, especially at temples and monasteries.
 
"The authorities will be unable to deploy security forces in Sittwe forever, and one day we will get a chance to carry out our programme. We are enthusiastically awaiting the opportunity to carry out our anti-government programmes in Sittwe," the monk added.