Buddhist monk arrested for telling the truth

DVB ( 30 October 2003 )

The Buddhist monk, Reverend Werathu who was arrested by the authorities in Mandalay was preaching the perpetuation of Buddhism, not anti-Muslim sermons, according to local residents. One monk was reportedly killed by soldiers in the ensuing protest by the monks.

Reverend Werathu pointed out that the women ‘Bateik’ sarongs imprinted with sacred Buddhist ‘Pahtan’ circle symbols are not the handiworks of Burmese oppositions on the Thai-Burma as claimed by the SPDC, but the work of the regime itself.

He was warned by the commander of Central Military Command, General Ye Myint himself to shut up but he refused, and as a result of his refusal, he was arrested on the eve of Monday 27 October.

Some local residents of Mandalay said that the clash on Monday could also be the consequence of anti-Muslim riots on 19 October at nearby Kyaukse in which 11 people were killed.

There had also been some disturbances in Thingangyun Township on 25-26 October and the security forces are ‘guarding’ the mosques, and the interior ministry is imposing curfew for Buddhist monks.