Ancient city in western Burma's Arakan State
A local archaeologist told Narinjara that the construction of the railroad through the city started on 7 November, and many ancient structures built by 14th century Arakanese cultures have already been damaged.
"Many priceless archaeological structures such as pagodas, sculptures, city walls, fortresses, garrisons, and moats have already been bulldozed for the railroad that is being designed to cross the main archaeological zone in the north and northeastern part of the city, and many more structures are still facing demolition," said the archaeologist.
The structures that have already been destroyed include pagodas and sculptures on Thazintan Hills, Praysoe Gree Pagoda, Mungalar Wall, Khrunkite Wall, Ahmrunt Taung Fortress, Khrunkite Fortress, Rae Hla Fortress, Rae Hla Gate, Rae Hla Moat, and Kyein Rwa Moat, the source said.
Koethaung Temple, one of the largest and most famous structures in the northeast of the city, is also facing demolition as the railroad will cross near the temple, according to city residents.
Local residents, including historians, archaeologists, and Buddhist monks have appealed to the local authorities to halt the destruction and redesign the railroad. They provided the city with plans, maps, and suggestions to help save their cultural heritage that has been seen as their national pride through the ages.
Despite the appeal, the bulldozing of the archaeological sites is still continuing on the orders of higher authorities in Naypyidaw, after a brief halt of the construction by local authorities, said the archaeologist. "We have requested the local authorities to halt the construction as it is threatening many archaeological structures, and provided the city plans, maps, and suggestions that would limit the demolition of any cultural heritage sites. If the railroad were to cross the western and southwestern side of the city, even though it would cost more, the priceless heritage sites will be saved and residents will benefit from the railroad as well. But they are still continuing to construct the railroad by bulldozing through the main archaeological sites on orders from the higher authorities in Naypyidaw," he said.
Military authorities have been building the 257-mile long railroad starting from the capital of Sittwe and ending in Ann, crossing a number of main towns, including Mrauk U, along the way. Ann is a military town in southwestern-most Arakan State, and the railroad is intended to link Arakan with Minbu in Magway Division for what is called "harmonious progress" across the states and divisions all over Burma.
Mrauk U was built by Arakanese king Min Saw Mon in 1430 and it remained the center of the Arakanese kingdoms until 1784, when the Burman king invaded.
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