A group calling itself the Ba Htoo Army, which claims it is based in Tanintharyi Region, released a statement on Tuesday denying accusations from residents and resistance forces that it is responsible for the destruction of a wall at the Thargara ancient city site in Launglon Township, which is located 12 miles (19 km) south of the Tanintharyi Region capital Dawei.
“This has nothing to do with [us],” Htet Myat, the Ba Htoo Army information officer told DVB. He added that the armed group will accept any punishment if evidence is presented that proves it is behind the destruction of a wall in the ancient Thargara city site.
The Ba Htoo Army claimed that it has joined joint military operations with local resistance forces, including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), against the military in Yebyu, Dawei, and Launglon townships since it was established on Jan. 1, 2024.
It states that in 2022, it was called Ba Htoo Column and was under the command of three People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) based in these townships.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense Tanintharyi Regional Military Command stated on Feb. 16 that action will be taken against any armed group caught destroying areas inside the Thargara ancient city site, which is located one mile (1.6 km) from the Dawei River.
This is where many artifacts from the ancient Pyu city-states such as bricks, bells, silver bracelets, earthen oil lamps, glazeware, and ceramics, have been discovered. “We will find out who is behind this [destruction],” an NUG Tanintharyi Regional Military Command spokesperson told DVB.
The Dawei District Democracy Movement Strike Committee stated on Feb. 16 that “an act of vulgar destruction of national identity” took place inside the Thagara ancient city site by the Ba Htoo Army. It called on all resistance groups to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Launglon residents told DVB that two heavy machines were used by the Ba Htoo Army to destroy a wall in the the ancient city site on Feb. 15. “Everyone has objected to [this destruction],” a Dawei resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
The Thargara ancient city site was designated as a “Cultural Protection Zone” in 2012 by the Department of Archaeology and National Museum under Myanmar’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.
The department has conducted three excavations since 2000 at the Thargara ancient city site and has discovered architecture and artifacts assumed to have been built in the 15th or 16th century AD. Most of these artifacts are on display at the Tanintharyi Region Cultural Museum in Dawei.
