Residents in Rakhine State are demanding the withdrawal of soldiers from the Military Council who are stationed in the pagodas so that they can freely observe the Sabbath during Thingyan.
During the upcoming Thingyan period, the presence of soldiers in these pagodas is making it difficult for the Buddhist Rakhine people to freely engage in acts of merit such as pouring water, offering candles and flowers, and observing the Sabbath.
An unnamed woman from Kyauktaw said, “During the Thingyan period, there are people who will observe the Sabbath, and there are visitors who want to freely go on pilgrimage. But if these people see the soldiers stationed on the pagoda, it causes anxiety. They can no longer focus on religion freely. Therefore I would like to request that the presence of soldiers stationed on the pagoda be withdrawn during this Thingyan period.”
At present, troops from the Military Council are stationed at both the Maha Muni Pagoda and Kyauktaw Mountain Pagoda in Kyauktaw Township.
Although locals are permitted to make the pilgrimage, the soldiers’ presence has caused them to feel nervous and insecure.
Ko Soe Soe, a resident of Minbya, has requested the immediate removal of soldiers stationed on the mountain because the residents want to observe their Sabbath rituals during Thingyan at the Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya, where soldiers from the military council are currently stationed.
“During the Thingyan and Thadingyut periods, it should be permissible to undertake pilgrimages. Right now people are restricted to only ascend the mountain for a two-day pilgrimage on weekends. These pilgrimages are subject to several restrictions, including prohibitions on visiting certain locations and taking photographs. As a city resident, I am disheartened by these limitations,” he said.
Military council troops have stationed themselves at Aung Mingalar Pagoda Mountain in Pan Myaung Village, Minbya Township, preventing villagers from ascending the mountain for a long time.
Despite repeated requests from locals through local media to remove the military deployment on the mountain, regional military leaders have refused to withdraw their troops.
Because of the presence of Military Council troops stationed at the 31 Realms Pagoda in Buthidaung Township, the residents of several villages, including Nwar Yon Taung, Sango Htaung, Shi Shar Taung, and Uyinthar, have been living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) since 2019 and 2020.
According to reports, Military Council troops have been stationed in these historic pagodas since 2018, when they engaged in a conflict with the Arakan Army (AA).
The trustees have stated that, as a result of the troop deployment, the pagoda festivals of these historical sites cannot be held.
