Two madrasas near downtown Yangon were sealed off by so-called Buddhist nationalist group led by monks. The move follow accusation that the Islamic schools were operating as mosques without official permission. The two schools in Anawmar 11 and 12 streets in Thakayta Township were closed down on 28 April at the pressure of 150 so called nationalists who gathered at the office of local administration to force the authorities to do so. The schools were closed down without having any official decree. The nationalists have been calling for closure of the schools from past one week. They took pictures of the Muslims coming out of the schools after prayers last Friday. They also posted messages on social media to intimidate Muslims. Also asked authorities to prohibit prayers in the schools. The Head of Yangon Region Police Colonel Myo Swe and MP from Thakayta Dr Wai Phyo Aung and 5 members of the nationalists. After the negotiation failed, Dr Wai Phyo Aung accompanied by police has sealed the two schools in Anawmar 11 and 12 streets. The chair of the school in Anawmar 12 Street said, “Why the schools were sealed off even though we have official papers. We asked the head of the Township Religious Department if we made any mistake he said we did not but the schools were sealed off to prevent conflict. They do not have any official order to close down the schools they just did with verbal order”. About 100 people were deployed to control the situation, but could not control the situation. A reporter from the Associated Press was beaten up and panic caused to the Muslims living in the township. “The police deployed is protecting whom us or those who want to destroy religious properties of our religion, it is questionable,” a resident of Anawmar 6 street U Khin Maung Thakayta Township was established in 1958 by the Government led by former president U Ne Win. At the time, nine Islamic schools were built. Among those schools, the one moved to Anawmar 11 from Lower Pazundaung Township School was built in Anawmar 11 got permission in 1993 for teaching as well as for prayers. Among the 9 Islamic schools in Tharkayta, one in Man Pyay Ward was sealed off on 17 February 2013 at the pressure of national groups. That incident took place ahead of a major sectarian violence in Meiktila in March 2013. The closure of the school came after the nationalists groups accused the trustees of the no 3 school of doing refurbishments without permission. The remaining 8 schools were continue to use for teaching of Islamic studies as well as for prayers. However, on 20 October 2015 at the pressure Patriotic Dharma Network the authorities asked the trustees of the 8 schools to sign undertaking not to allow mass prayers. Among the nationalists gathered to put pressure to close the schools included U Thusita and Taungthar Lay monk, who are members of the Patriotic Monk Union as well as members of Patriotic Dharma Network as well as other nationalists from Yangon Region, Mandalay, Meiktila, Ma U Bin, Pathein. Reference: BHRN