SAGAING DIVISION – The terrorist junta council has stationed at Myatheindan Pagoda in Mingun and the junta forces have been firing heavy artillery at the villages in the upper region and abducting, torturing and extorting the resident civilians, according to local reports.
The junta forces have been stationed at the pagoda since July and they have switched and reinforced troops every month and are known to frequently abduct, torture and extort civilians after accusing them of belonging to the PDF.
“They have been stationed there since July. They usually change or reinforce troops every month. The last reinforcement was on the 17th. They accuse people of belonging to the PDF then abduct and extort them. They also abduct and beat up anyone they find suspicious,” explained a source from Mingun.
Moreover, it is said that there are also frequent clashes between revolutionary forces and the junta forces stationed at Myatheindan Pagoda and local residents reported that the junta forces would abduct and extort civilians who happened to be in the area around their outpost at night and also break into and steal from the houses in the area.
“Now, junta forces and Pyu (Pyu Saw Htee militia) have strong influence in Mingun. Wirathu (a nationalist extremist monk) is also in Mingun. They have shut down all the pagodas without saying when they will be reopened. We want to alert the people coming on a pilgrimage to be careful,” said a resident.
In addition, it is said that junta forces would open fire at civilians who come near Myatheindan Pagoda, resulting in civilian casualties and would also raid nearby villages, torching and looting homes.
