CNI News
3 Feb 2023
As ancient antiques in Bagan Ancient Heritage Site like bells, Buddah images and mural paintings have been stolen frequently, security measures should be taken effectively in respective areas, according to local residents.
Currently, the security situation has worsened in Bagan and if the situation continues, more antiques will be stolen in Bagan, U Myo Set San, a local resident of Bagan, told the CNI.
He said, "There used to be thefts of head of stupas and mural paintings in the successive eras. As religious objects, which are highly valued by Myanmar people, are being stolen, it is inappropriate. Security should be tightened as religious objects are stolen frequently. They launch investigations only after the thieves have gotten away. They should assign patrols and security guards at pagodas and respective areas. More security measures should be taken for more important pagodas among more than 3,000 pagodas. Otherwise, more antiques will be stolen."
The Alodawpyae Pagoda.
In January, 2023, bells donated by present day donors at some pagodas were stolen.
The stolen bells included the biggest bell from the Min O Chantha Pagoda and those from the Shin Pin Pwint Lin pagoda, Shwe Chanthar Pagoda and Tharyar Wade Pagoda.
In April last year, stupas and mural paintings from Pagoda Nos. 716 and 418 were stolen but authorities managed to arrest the thief.
The thief was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).
It was reported that there were only a few security staff for heritage in Bagan including about 30 staff from the Department of Archaeology and another 30 personnel from the local police force.
Plans were being drawn to prevent thefts of antiques in Bagan together with security forces and local residents were required to report to authorities at real time if something suspicious was found, Director U Kyaw Myo Win of the DANM (Bagan) told the CNI.
An ancient pagoda in Bagan.
He said, "We have only 30 staff while the local police force has about the same number of security personnel. We are forced to protect more than 3,000 pagodas with fewer than 100 staff. It is almost impossible to protect the pagodas. We need to cooperate with local residents to raise the awareness of conservation of antiques and to combat drug abuse and gambling. According to the latest statistics, there are 3,837 pagodas in Bagan scattering in Bagan. We are drawing plans to prevent thefts of antiques together with security forces. On the other hand, local residents are required to report suspicious activities to us in real time."
As security forces in Bagan were understaffed, it was necessary to install CCTV cameras to prevent the thefts of antiques, U Kyaw Myo Win added.
The number of thefts of antiques reportedly increased in 2022.
The increase in thefts of antiques was attributed by experts and local residents to lack of job opportunities, drug abuse and gambling and low awareness of heritage conservation.
Bagan was designated as world heritage on 6th July, 2019 at the 43rd World Heritage Committee Conference held in Baku in Azerbaijan in 2019.
