Lengthy power outages are fueling demand for charcoal and firewood in Arakan State, according to charcoal and firewood sellers.

The Mrauk-U branch of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum is checking over heritage buildings and artefacts in the Mrauk-U ancient cultural zone to prepare for a field visit by UNESCO experts.

Thousands of children in Ye Township, Mon State, have had their access to education jeopardised or cut off completely due to fighting between the military and a local anti-regime group.

Nineteen ward and village administrators from the Kutaung area, located in the southern part of Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township, have reportedly tendered resignation letters to the township administrator’s office, saying they are facing difficulties in their work between the military and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

Local residents in Sittwe have expressed concerns about the fire risk posed by roadside petrol pumps.

Myanmar’s military regime has not lifted its restrictions on deliveries of food, medicines and building materials to nearly 50 villages in Darletchaung Village-tract, Ann Township, despite its recent ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA).

Family members say they have not been in contact with a social activist from Arakan State’s Taungup Township since his arrest by the military more than a month ago.

Fierce fighting broke out between the military and a coalition led by Brigade 3 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) after the anti-regime forces launched an attack on a security checkpoint at Gyaing Suspension Bridge near Hlaingkwe Village, part of Kayin State’s Kawkareik Township, on Friday morning, according to local residents.

Myanmar’s military regime has granted K10 billion from national economic development funds for development works in Arakan State, according to a message sent by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing for the 48th anniversary of Arakan State Day on Thursday.

Local people were not interested in the 48th anniversary of Arakan State Day event organised by the military regime and only civil servants under the military junta attended the event, said people who visited the celebrations.

As many as 2,000 local people were forced to flee after a fierce clash broke out between the military and a coalition led by Brigade 3 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) near Leinpinwel Village in eastern Bago Region’s Shwegyin Township on December 15, according to ground sources.

The Paletwa Township Court has reportedly sentenced two brothers to three years in prison under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code and Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, according to family members.

The military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Arakan State has begun preparing for a new general election, which the military regime plans to hold next year.

Declining fish stocks in the Thanzit River in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu have become a source of dispute for local fishermen, with one group accusing the other of encroaching on their fishing territory.

The Arakan State Administration Council (ASAC) of Myanmar’s military regime has urged local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Arakan State to try and look for markets by taking advantage of an ongoing exhibition of local products.

Despite the latest ceasefire, Myanmar’s military regime continues to restrict the supply of medicines from Arakan State’s Kyauktaw to Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

An administrator in Minbya’s Okkarpyan Ward, Arakan State, has been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA), according to family members. 

Local residents continue to leave Arakan State for foreign countries to work amid continuing instability and high unemployment in the region.

Local residents in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have called on authorities to handle a chaotic parking situation along the street leading to the central market.