Two statues of General Aung San destroyed by SAC troops in Yangon

Photo – Statue of General Aung San erected in Myakantha Park, Thaketa Township. YT (July 2) Mizzima. ။ Two statues of General Aung San in Taunggyigone Township and Thaketa Township, Yangon Region, were destroyed by SAC troops late last night (July 1), according to local residents. Among the two statues of General Aung San in Taunggyigone Township, the one destroyed this time is located on the Padetha market side within Sumangala Park, and the destruction began after 10 PM last night. “So far, we have only seen one statue being destroyed. The statue has been destroyed, and only the base remains. The destroyed statue was sponsored by U Ko Ko Gyi. They started destroying it with a backhoe and brick breaker after darkening the park and gathering a crowd around 10:30 PM last night,” said a local woman from Taunggyigone Township. It is known that the statue was completed and erected in 2017 (on the occasion of General Aung San's 102nd birthday) during the civilian government. Mizzima's inquiry revealed that the statue of General Aung San, erected under the leadership of the General Aung San Statue Realization Committee of Taunggyigone Township, has not yet been demolished as of this afternoon. Similarly, the statue of General Aung San erected in Myakantha Park, Thaketa Township, was also destroyed by SAC troops around 11 PM last night (July 1). “The statue in Thaketa has also been destroyed. It is the statue in Thaketa Township Office, Myakantha Park. It was last night. We heard they arrived around 11 PM and started destroying it. Since this morning, outsiders have not been allowed into the park. Police and plainclothes officers are also monitoring,” said an official from the Rangoon Scout Network, which provides real-time updates on the movements of SAC troops in Yangon Region. Incidents of SAC troops destroying statues of General Aung San have been frequently observed in recent months. It has also been observed that such destruction is usually carried out after darkening the town and its surroundings. Local residents speculate that the SAC intends to destroy the history related to General Aung San. The local woman from Taunggyigone said, “I feel heartbroken. Our money was also included in the statue that was destroyed. However, we believe that following the words and actions of a great leader is more important than the statue itself. General Aung San will forever exist in our hearts and minds. As he is a great leader, whether the statue exists or not is less important than his achievements. If you love, cherish, and respect General Aung San, I want to tell you to respect and follow his words.” An official from RSN also said, “I see them trying to erase all images of General Aung San. He is a symbol of independence, and his image inspires people to revolt, so they are trying to destroy it. It seems they want to leave only the message that the army was founded, just like during the Than Shwe era. It is also possible that it is a ritual to break a curse.” On June 27, the statue of General Aung San in Aungmingalar Ward, Ye-U Township, and on June 9, the statue of General Aung San on Kan Road, Taungoo Township, Bago Region, were destroyed by SAC troops. Similarly, on the night of November 1, 2025, the statue of General Aung San in Kan Thasan Park, Pathein city, Ayeyarwady Region; on the night of August 7, 2025, the statue of General Aung San, which had stood for about three decades at the intersection of Shwe Mode Daw Pagoda Road and the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago city center; on the early morning of July 28, 2025, the statue of General Aung San near Pubar Market in Pubar Thiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw; and on October 9, 2024, the statue of General Aung San in Sagaing Township, Mandalay Region, were destroyed by SAC troops. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo