The Burmese racist invading army stationing in the religious complex after they have destroyed the Arakanese ancestral and historical heritages
Part-1
17 June 2020
This video clip shows the images of military exercises by the troops wearing sport trousers from a battalion of Myanmar Army under the command of No.44th Light Infantry Division on 8 and 9 June 2020 that is permanently stationed on the Pagoda of Thin-Gijt-Taw mountain in Mrauk-U township of Arakan.
The Thin-Gijt-Taw Pagoda, built on the top of the 500ft height Thin-Gijt-Taw mountain, lies 5 miles away from North of Mrauk-U. It was built in the East of Pauk Taw Pyin village. Some troops from the battalions under the command of No.44th Light Infantry Division have been destroying the Arakanese ancestral and historical heritages by not only digging bunkers on the platform around the Pagoda but also building stronghold in the Pagoda compound.
It has been not only long time but also several times, the Burmese racist invading army (Tatmadaw) has been deliberately destroying the Arakanese ancestral and historical heritages as a hallmark of foreign invaders to carry out sabotage acts, since their scorched-earth campaign and sea-land-air joint operations against civilians of Arakan have been launched.
For instance, after the creation of a phony war on 19 March 2019 the Burmese racist invading armed forces launched a major attack with heavy and light weapons into the Pagodas of the Arakanese ancestral and historical heritages in Mrauk-U, the capital city of the Kingdom of Arakan, which can be recognized as a World Heritage Site. Artillery shells fell and exploded near the monastery and pagoda, causing damage to the temple. The 540th Light Infantry Battalion of Myanmar Army based in Mrauk-U, the artillery base on the Shwe mountain, the Police Battalion in Mrauk-U and Police stations launched attacks across Mrauk-U town without a single battle. Our organization had already released a statement numbered 7/2019 concerning this sabotage act.
For many months in the year of 2019, the Burmese racist invading troops had used monasteries, schools and civilian-properties and stationed in San-Gar-Taung village, Nan-Yone-Taung village, Shut-Shar-Taung village, U-Yan-Thar village, the Sin-Thi-Pyin village and on the platform of 31-Bun Historic Pagoda built in the San-Gar-Taung village in Buthidaung township. They were not merely stationing in the places but also launching indiscriminate attacks that hit and caused damage to the 31-Bun pagoda. In addition, cracks appeared in the Pagoda due to the vibrations of artillery shelling. This sabotage act was committed by battalions under the 22th Light Infantry Division.
For so many times, the Burmese racist invading army has launched artillery strikes, filled with full of racial hatred, on local inhabitants day and night not only at the time of fighting but also at the time of no fighting from their battalion headquarter, tactical command base, artillery bases, police battalions and the mobilizing frontline columns.
The Myanmar armed forces are using religious complex, ancient and historic pagodas, temples, entrances, monasteries and schools as their military posts, artillery bases and garrisons in the war zone and regions such as Ann, MinBya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Kyauk-Taw and Mrauk-U townships. Their use of cultural property and acts of hostility directed against the historic heritage sites and places of worship constitute a grave breach of the Geneva Convention and the law of war.
As a transparent and responsible organization fighting for innate political rights for all peoples in Arakan, the ULA/AA will impart concrete evidence of war crimes committed by the Myanmar armed forces to international organizations. The general public of Arakan is also requested to send information to the nearest members of our organization if you have evidence and documents of war crimes committed by the Myanmar Army.
Info-Desk
Arakan Army
