The Military Council troops, who deployed and took cover in the historic Mahamuni Buddha Image compound in Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State, confiscated and checked the phones of about 30 masons who are assigned to carry out renovations there.

As part of their stepped-up surveillance the military regime’s troops grabbed the all the phones of the masonry workers on the morning of November 3. After checks were made, the phones were returned to the owners at around 1:00 PM after the inspections were done according to a local.

“ The masons were very worried when their phones were confiscated. Three or four hours later, after checks were done, the phones were returned. This means that they (the Military Council troops) suspect the masons”, a pilgrim commented.

Due to the presence of Junta forces and their camp inside the temple’s precincts, few pilgrims visit Mahamuni Buddha Image nowadays. The mason workers are also worried about their security.

“ These days the soldiers have become very aggressive and strict,” an elderly pilgrim said.

” Even though the masons had been working in the temple complex for years, the Junta soldiers were still suspicious.” Locals also complained that “The Military Council soldiers stationed in the temple compound often get drunk and shoot into the air at night”.

A resident added that “Even for pilgrims, it is not convenient anymore bringing their phones. When they see we bring our phones, they check for any links to the Arakan Army (AA).Now people are afraid to even bring the phone. “

The Kyauktaw Township is an area where military tensions between the AA and the Military Council are getting worse and worse. Recently the Kyauktaw-based Military Council battalions fired artillery shells into residential areas even though there was no military engagement. On the night of October 31, an artillery shell hit a house and killed three family members who were sleeping.