Shooting of Faux-Burning Scene of Bangladesh Monastery in Maungdaw

MYARF Report | Written by M.S. Anwar

November 27, 2013

Maungdaw, Arakan- Around 2:45PM on 26^th November 2013, in Maungdaw, monks at the Bangladesh monastery created a faux burning scene at the monastery. Firebrigade arrived and extinguished the fire. And Police subsequently made video of the artifiacial burning.

"There is a monastery called "Bangladesh Kyaung-Taike" meaning Bangladesh monastery at Myoma Kayintan (shidda fara), Maungdaw. It is so called because the monks and other people at the monastery are Bangladeshi Buddhists. And there is a house under construction in its premise.

At 2:45PM today (on 26^th November 2013), monks at the monastery painted its lintals, walls and other parts with 'Smoke and Black Color' to make it look like a burnt house or coal after burning. Then, having gathered rubbish and tyres near by the house, they torched them (the rubbish and tyres). It created a scenario as if the house was actually on fire.

Soon after, Firebrigade and Rakhine Police arrived at the place. Firebrigade extinguished the fire and Police made video of the event" said a local in Maungdaw.

"We are not sure why they did so. But we feel something fishy. This might be a plot to spread propaganda against Muslims and trigger violence against us once more. A mosque in Kyaukphyu destroyed, some Rohingyas arrested and many other tortured in Kyauktaw Towship, Rohingya's shops at Maungdaw Municipal Market torched and a historic mosque in Maungdaw burnt down! All these happened after OIC Delegation's visit! Anything can happen against us at any time. We are really worried" he added.