Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is in the Arakan State capital Sittwe to consecrate a pagoda built by his predecessor in the role of Myanmar military dictator, Than Shwe.

DMG Newsroom
30 March 2023, Sittwe

Despite the latest ceasefire between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar military, reached on November 26, the latter has dispatched reinforcements to some townships in Arakan State and increased its military presence over recent days, according to locals.

Myanmar Navy vessels reportedly transported troops to Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw via Yay Chan Pyin Jetty in Sittwe, eyewitnesses said.

“We’ve seen the military’s reinforcement of not only troops but also food supplies and weapons...

The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand has temporarily ceased after an import-export office in the border trade zone in Myawaddy, Kayin (Karen) State, was attacked and burned to the ground.

Although it has been more than four months since the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) observed an informal ceasefire on November 26, a curfew order remains in place in over half of Arakan State’s 17 townships.

A nipa palm product manufactured in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu won first prize in a national-level local products contest.

Peace talks between the junta’s peace negotiating team and seven signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) will not deliver any positive steps toward internal peace in Myanmar, observers say.

Some 1,500 people from 363 households who were displaced by fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) and were sheltering in Samee town, part of Chin State’s Paletwa Township, have returned home voluntarily, the junta-controlled broadcaster MRTV said on Wednesday.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), which is among dozens of political parties disbanded by the military regime over their failure to meet a deadline to re-register, said in a statement on March 29 that “as long as there are people, the party will exist.” 

Fifty political parties from Myanmar’s quasi-democratic era (2010-2021) have re-registered with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC), six of which are from Arakan State, according to a list announced by the regime’s election body on Tuesday.

The hearing for a local man who has been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA) has been postponed for about eight months, according to family members.

The ASAC met around 40 CSOs, charitable organisations and international agencies operating in Arakan State on Tuesday, and explained to them about the new Association Registration Law.

The AA hopes that the leaders of PRA-Magway will continue to support the Spring Revolution, the message said. 

The regime has also cut phone line services in addition to imposing internet blackouts ahead of anticipated attacks in some parts of the country.

A verdict in the case against three Kyauktaw Township residents charged with incitement has been postponed, according to a lawyer involved.

Fuel is in short supply at filling stations in the Arakan State townships of Taungup, Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, according to filling station operators.

Some 100 houses in Hsin Khaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Thandwe Township, have been damaged or destroyed by erosion so far this year, according to affected villagers.

As junta boss Min Aung Hlaing issued threats to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and their allied ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) on Monday, critics said the senior-general’s rhetorical posturing was a classic case of bark being worse than bite.

A research paper reading session on Arakanese history, the first-of-its kind in Sittwe, was held at Arian Hall on Strand Road in the Arakan State capital on Sunday.

Waste is scattered near Pyidawtha Lake in Rathedaung, Arakan State, and the drains are full of garbage, say residents, who are urging the concerned parties to do proper work on the garbage collection system.