Rakhine people urge to remove armed forces stationed in pagodas and temples

Narinjara News, 23 February 2023

The residents of Rakhine State have demanded to remove all army camps from the proximity of temples and hill pagodas.

The military council troops, which have been partially occupying areas near to several famous pagodas causing disruption to pilgrims, continue to ignore the public demand.

A camp of border guard personnel was set up on the pagoda mountain near the bypass between Zaydi Byint village under Rathedaung township and Kyauk Pandu village under Maungdaw township, which has affected the ambience.

The local Buddhists claim that they are losing their rights to organise religious festivals in the sacred areas.

Recently the pagoda trustee committee  sent a letter to the military council raising its demand to remove the border guard camp from the pagoda mountain.

"About 100 soldiers are now stationed there (pagoda mountain) and hence the locals find it difficult to visit the temple. Moreover the pagoda has not been repaired for some time. Presently the military council and Arakan Army leaders have agreed for an informal ceasefire. As the situation improves, we have requested the authorities to shift the camp," said one of the Buddhist trustees.

He also added that some trustees conveyed the letter to the camp commander on 19 February. The commander informed them that he would forward it to the higher authority.

The camp was started on the pagoda mountain in 2021 and since then the locals have found it difficult to celebrate many festivals including the Buddha Pujaniya.

Another educated resident claimed that the military base on the pagoda mountain can be termed as a violation to the Geneva convention. The military personnel are prohibited in setting up of camps in any religious building, hospital, school and residential areas under the same convention.

“We would like to request the military council to follow the Geneva convention guidelines,” he added.

The concerned pagoda was built in 2019 and the Buddha Pujaniya festival was held next year. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic and relentless gunfighting between the junta forces and AA members, the festival in subsequent years has not been organized.

Some Burmese army personnel are also stationed in Maha Muni pagoda and hill pagoda of Kyauk Taw township, Thonsae Thapon pagoda in Buthidaung, Kying Taung pagoda in Minbya and Thin Kyit Taung pagoda in Mrauk U township.

Now the Rakhine people demand to remove all the army camps from the proximity of well known pagodas and temples across the State.