Defrocking monk was politically motivated, say locals

The monk was arrested on the night of June 9 after he was alleged to have demolished pagodas and illegally engaged in gem mining. 

“It’s so bad that the Sayadaw (venerable monk) was arrested and taken on charges of demolishing pagodas and illegal gem mining. The head of the township Buddhist clergy himself asked the authorities not to defrock and arrest the Sayadaw immediately,” said Soe Htay from the ’88 Generation Peace and Open Society chapter in Mogok. 

“The Sayadaw participated in the 2007 saffron revolution. He also helped gold mine workers in Thabeikkyin to demand their seized lands back from the government. He always pointed out the difficulties and suffering of the local people. The authorities were cross with him. I think they arrested him on these charges as they feared their image would be harmed if they did it on charges related to politics,” Soe Htay said.

Some local people reported that before the Sayadaw was arrested, the authorities conducted inspections at his monastery compound, telling locals that the immediate arrest of the monk was unlikely.  

Soe Htay said the Sayadaw’s demolition of old pagodas was aimed at building a new pagoda complex, and it was done after the Sayadaw sought permission from the local clergy. 

On June 11, residents of Mogok held a prayer ceremony for the release of the monk.