Irrawaddy-June 22
Myanmar’s regime has admitted its troops killed a 78-year-old Buddhist monk on Wednesday after junta media claims of a resistance ambush were contradicted by another monk at the scene. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsa, a retired member of the State Sangha Nayaka Committee, the highest Buddhist authority in Myanmar, was shot dead by junta troops near Mandalay International Airport in Tada-U Township, Mandalay Region. The junta media initially accused resistance groups of killing the abbot of Win Neinmitayon Monastery in Bago Region with a landmine. Another monk, Bhaddanta Gunikabhivamsa, the abbot of Kanthonhsint Buddhism Learning Center in Mingaladon Township, Yangon, and the driver U Kyaw Win were injured in the attack. Bhaddanta Gunikabhivamsa said in an online video for a wake where Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhiwamsa lay in state on Thursday in Bago that junta soldiers in a truck opened fire on their car. He said the soldiers admitted that they thought the car contained resistance fighters. Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun admitted on Friday that regime troops were responsible.
“Our security forces in a truck shouted at the vehicle and fired warning shots to make it pull over. Security personnel opened fire on the moving vehicle from behind,” he said. The spokesman said senior officers were conducting an inquiry and action would be taken. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-admits-killing-monk.html
