BAGO DIVISION – Junta supporter monk Thuradaza (aka) Pyitawthaikha Monk, from Shwemaungdone Monastery in Muyarpin Ward, Pyay, western Bago Division, was reportedly abducted, disrobed and sent to prison by the junta council troops, according to residents.
Junta forces raided Shwemaungdone Monastery on July 10 to arrest the monk but he had fled in a civilian vehicle to Aunglan in Magway Division where he was captured at a checkpoint.
“He wasn’t captured when junta forces raided the monastery but was caught in Aunglan on the same day. He signed a letter of guarantee and was returned to the monastery then taken away the next day by a large number of junta soldiers and police. He was disrobed and sent to prison,” detailed a resident of Muyarpin Ward.
Pyitawthaikha Monk was said to be charged under article 66(d) for criticizing another monk worshipped by the township junta council and has been disrobed and imprisoned under section 295 for harming the image of religion.
The detained monk had actively reported political activists to the junta council via telegram channels after the coup and had personally extorted 1 million kyats per person from the detained activists, according to locals.