Military seals monastery in Hmawbi where Dr. Phay Nyan was murdered

YANGON – The Sasana Yeik Thar monastery in Hmawbi, where astrologer Dr. Phay Nyan (alias Ashin Panyawamsa), who advised former military leaders including former Senior General Than Shwe and former President Thein Sein, was murdered, has been sealed by the military junta's forces, sources have confirmed. The Sasana Yeik Thar monastery in Hmawbi, where astrologer Dr. Phay Nyan (alias Ashin Panyawamsa), who advised former military leaders including former Senior General Than Shwe and former President Thein Sein, was murdered, has been sealed by military units, sources have confirmed. Following the assassination of the monk, the military arrived in force on July 24 and sealed the entire Sasana Yeik Thar monastery compound, located in Ward 2 of Hmawbi Township, which encompasses a large area of land, by affixing seals, tying red ribbons, and posting warning signs. Ground photos also show that prohibition ribbons have been tied along the entrance and fence of the Sandakumi monastery, and red warning signs have been hung. "Yesterday, the military arrived in full force and sealed the entire monastery compound by affixing seals, tying red ribbons, and posting signs. The exact reason for this sudden sealing is not yet known," a local resident told the Irrawaddy Times regarding the sealing of the monastery. Dr. Phay Nyan, the abbot of the Sandakumi Yeik Thar monastery in Ward 2, Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region, who was living as a monk, was found dead with stab wounds at the doorway between his bedroom and study on the morning of July 2. He was 75 years old and had been a monk for 15 years. Regarding the murder of Dr. Phay Nyan, five suspects, including Thet Paing Htun (alias Paing Lay), have been arrested, according to propaganda media of the junta government. It has not yet been independently confirmed why the land and the Sasana Yeik Thar monastery have been sealed in this manner after the death of the monk who was revered and consulted by successive military leaders. Photo caption: Dr. Phay Nyan's Sandakumi Yeik Thar monastery