Local sources report that two historic cemeteries in Phayagyi Ward, Taunggyi, Southern Shan State – the Parmainay Cemetery and Ohtachaung Cemetery – have been seized through a collaboration between the military and a private company. These burial grounds, which have served local communities for generations, are now slated for transformation into a shopping center complex. The seizure was carried out in August by City Square’s owner, Thiha Company, in partnership with military authorities.
According to local residents, while Thiha Construction initially promised to renovate the cemetery grounds, they instead proceeded to purchase the land permanently through coordination with military and municipal authorities. The local community was not informed about these developments, and despite ongoing protests from residents, the project continues under the claim that all necessary agreements have been secured. The displacement of these historic burial grounds has created significant hardship for the local population, who were not consulted about the changes to their community’s traditional burial sites.
The Parmainay Cemetery has historically served six local areas within Phayagyi Ward, including Htiseik Myauk Village, Ywa Thit Kon Village, Htiseik Taung Village, Parmainay Lweichan Village, Phayagyi Village, and Ohtachaung Village. As a replacement for the two seized cemeteries, authorities have designated a new area of approximately 2.52 acres adjacent to the Htiseik Cemetery. However, these cemeteries represent ancestral lands that previous administrators and authorities had attempted to sell in the past, but were unable to do so due to strong opposition from both Buddhist monks and local residents. The current development appears to be taking advantage of the military administration’s authority to proceed with commercial development plans despite historical preservation concerns and community opposition.
