Junta troops seize Naypyitaw monasteries, escalate forced conscription

The Myanmar junta has garrisoned dozens of monasteries across Naypyitaw, turning the religious buildings into military barracks while fortifying their positions in other temples across the country, according to sources.Military troops occupying village monasteries in Naypyitaw territory have turned them into junta housing, relying on locals for food while extorting money from businesses and, at times, civilians.It’s not the first time the junta has fortified monasteries and other religious buildings.During the beginning of the revolution, junta troops detained a group of protesting monks, and have been increasingly using religious buildings for security and defense.In 2022, the junta occupied a catholic church in Moebye, southern Shan State. In December 2023, the military started garrisoning temples. The same year, military soldiers garrisoned a Buddist temple in Rakhine State.Now, the practice appears to be escalating. Military units have occupied more than 30 monasteries across Naypyitaw, Pyinmana, Lewe, and Pobba Thiri townships, according to sources based in Naypyitaw, according to five local residents.Junta troops are also carrying out nighttime arrests, forcing more men into conscription. In one recent case, troops patrolled a village by car, then began detaining young civilians as the night went on, sources said."The junta has been stationed in around 15 villages in Lewe, primarily focusing on the security of Naypyitaw Airport,” he said. “For the past two months, soldiers in uniform have been traveling there each morning and returning by night on motorbikes.”Resistance forces frequently target Naypyitaw Airport with short-range rockets, prompting junta troops to set up camps in nearby villages and position themselves for ambushes and security patrols. Junta troops are now stationed in monasteries in at least 10 villages across the capital. At least five junta camps along the old Yangon-Mandalay Highway and Yarza Htar Ni street in Naypyitaw are in disrepair, with no security troops in sight, one source explained.“While they don't capture villagers, there have been instances where they detain people on the road outside the village for conscription if they see them during patrols," another source told Myanmar Now.Since 2024, junta troops have occupied Ngwe Shan Kone monastery near Naypyitaw’s Uppatasanti Pagoda and Lakloattaung Temple to maintain security. In Pyinmana Township, at least 20 soldiers have been stationed at Thet Kei Chin monastery, with military vehicles shuttling them to and from security posts each night."When they initially arrived, it was said to be for township security. However, they started capturing people on the streets for conscription, pretending to be on patrol at night,” a source said. “Over 10 people have been taken in just one month.”Despite the fact that monasteries are revered by the junta’s generals, some Naypyitaw temples refused to shelter troops, fearing conscription and clashes with soldiers. A monastery in Thu Htay Kone Ward, the largest and busiest market in Pyinmana Township, declined to house regime troops, according to a man who was aware of the incident."At first, only senior troops arrived. When the abbot rejected them, captains came by car to try to speak with him,” the source added. “However, the abbot, believed to have influential connections, rejected them outright. The troops then left.”In quieter villages in Pyinmana Township, junta soldiers have been conducting arrests under the pretext of inspecting overnight guest lists.

Junta troops seize Naypyitaw monasteries, escalate forced conscription

Military forces have taken over dozens of religious buildings across Myanmar’s capital region

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