• Burmese
Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

AA Abducts Two Monks, Two Novices From Monasteries in Myanmar’s Rakhine State: Abbot

Lei Lei by Lei Lei
August 21, 2020
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Mrauk-U Township / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy

Mrauk-U Township / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy

4.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group engaged in active fighting with the Myanmar military, has abducted two Buddhist monks and two novices in Mrauk-U Township of Rakhine State in western Myanmar, according to local residents.

The AA abducted U Wunna Thara, the abbot of Myo Oo Kaung Monastery; U Dhamma Piya, the abbot of Shwe Si Wa Monastery; and two novices in Let Kauk Zay Ward in Mrauk-U at midnight on Tuesday for allegedly recruiting for the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), according to U Kay Ya Wuntha, the abbot of La Kyi Taung Monastery in the same ward.

Based along Myanmar’s borders with Bangladesh and India, the ALP and its armed wing, the Arakan Liberation Army, are an ethnic Rakhine revolutionary group formed in 1967 to fight for equality for the ethnic group. The ALP signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015 and is participating in the peace process.

RelatedPosts

How a Junta Airstrike Shattered a Myanmar Family’s Dreams

How a Junta Airstrike Shattered a Myanmar Family’s Dreams

May 19, 2025
469
Earthquake Has Strengthened China’s Hand in Myanmar

Earthquake Has Strengthened China’s Hand in Myanmar

April 23, 2025
2.9k
AA and Allied Local Resistance Seize Ayeyarwady Villages

AA and Allied Local Resistance Seize Ayeyarwady Villages

March 27, 2025
4k

“This is the first time monks have been abducted by the AA—and they were abducted from monasteries in urban areas. Laypeople at the monasteries said the monks were abducted by the AA,” U Kay Ya Wuntha told The Irrawaddy.

A layperson at Myo Oo Kaung Monastery who witnessed the abduction told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity that seven people wearing plain clothes blindfolded the monks and took them away, and also searched the room of U Wunna Thara.

“The abbot’s mother and children were [boarding] at the monastery. But no one dared say anything as [the abductors] were holding sticks and knives. They tied the monks up and took them away,” the layperson said.

“It is not good that monks were taken during Vassa. If they want to interrogate them, they can do so after Vassa is over. It is unacceptable as it is now Vassa,” U Kay Ya Wuntha said.

Vassa is a three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada Buddhists. It lasts for three lunar months, usually from July to October. Monks remain in one place, typically a monastery or temple grounds, for the duration of Vassa.

As the government has declared the AA a terrorist organization, The Irrawaddy was not able to contact the armed group for a comment.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

You may also like these stories:

Military Chief Blames Ethnic Armies, Govt for Myanmar’s Protracted Peace Process

Song, Video Depicting Fighting Dropped From Myanmar Peace Conference Opening Event

“AA Frees Five Members of Rival Arakan Liberation Party in Myanmar’s West”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: AABuddhismRakhine conflict
Lei Lei

Lei Lei

Similar Picks:

Unholy Alliance: Myanmar’s Mercedes Monks and the Men in Green
Commentary

Unholy Alliance: Myanmar’s Mercedes Monks and the Men in Green

by Aung Zaw
June 7, 2024
12.9k

Myanmar’s monks once led the fight against colonialism and dictatorship. Today, many prefer to collect fancy cars in return for...

Read moreDetails
More Myanmar Junta Bases Fall in Shan Fighting: MNDAA
Burma

More Myanmar Junta Bases Fall in Shan Fighting: MNDAA

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 11, 2023
11.6k

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army says it continues to topple regime outposts in the Kokang zone on the Chinese...

Read moreDetails
Rakhine’s Banking System Collapses as Myanmar State Teeters on Precipice
Burma

Rakhine’s Banking System Collapses as Myanmar State Teeters on Precipice

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2024
9.1k

Economic crisis deepens as banks exit amid junta restrictions on food supplies and a UN warning of impending famine.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Troops Lost Will to Fight: Brotherhood Alliance  
War Against the Junta

Myanmar Junta Troops Lost Will to Fight: Brotherhood Alliance  

by The Irrawaddy
November 4, 2023
7.9k

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army say they have seized seven more bases held by...

Read moreDetails
AA Seizes Rakhine Town Near Key Chinese Port Project
Burma

AA Seizes Rakhine Town Near Key Chinese Port Project

by The Irrawaddy
March 12, 2024
7.6k

The Arakan Army says it holds Ramree near the Kyaukphyu deep sea port, which is a vital part of China’s...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Boss Gifts Mercedes Cars to Senior Monks
Burma

Myanmar Junta Boss Gifts Mercedes Cars to Senior Monks

by The Irrawaddy
June 10, 2024
6.5k

Min Aung Hlaing and the head of the country’s highest Buddhist authority sprinkled scented water on the vehicles, before the...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Kayah State Chief Minister L Phaung Sho in December 2019. / Kayah State Government Office / Facebook

Chief Minister of Myanmar’s Kayah State Targeted for Impeachment Over Spending, Land Allegations

Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the closing ceremony of the fourth session of the Union Peace Conference—the last round that will be held under the current NLD government—on Friday. / NRPC

Myanmar Peace Conference Ends With Participants Praising ‘Meaningful’ Principles, Post-Election Plan

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

4 days ago
1.4k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

2 days ago
854

Most Read

  • Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Reinforces Kyaukphyu as AA Nears China-Backed SEZ Hub

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Jade Hub Burns as Junta Counteroffensive Penetrates Hpakant

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.