A squad of police guard the sacred site of Bagan in Myanmar, rich in monuments and temples. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, looters are snatching relics from temples deserted by visitors and tourists.
Around 100 officers are spread across Bagan and they sweep torches over the monuments to search for intruders.
In early June, 12 different temples were looted. Robbers had swiped plenty of relics such as copper, stupas, ancient coins and jade jewellery.
The 35th Battalion regional police squad have been deployed to boost local tourism police and firefighters, ranging across the site by jeep, motorbike and foot. “It’s not easy to patrol as the area is so big,” one police officer says
As of now, the squad have resisted intruders at most of the temples.
The region is known for its stupas, temples, murals and sculptures and was finally added to the prestigious UNESCO world heritage list in 2019.
But the pandemic has halted social and economic activity which has impacted the livelihoods of those who depend on tourism for their income.
The region was visited by more than half a million people last year. However it dropped to 130,000 this year until tourists spots were closed.
Our security forces are patrolling day and night,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Sein Win tells AFP.
“We have it under control for the moment, but it’s a challenge.”
“The Bagan temples will not tolerate it. The robbers will be dealt with,” says Souvenir seller Wyne Yee, who greatly depends on the tourism industry.
Source: AFP