The number of people killed or injured by landmines while searching for food in forests has increased in Arakan State, with more and more internally displaced people (IDPs) being forced to forage lately due to food shortages at their displacement camps. 

Thousands of locals in Bago Region’s Kyaukkyi and Mone townships were displaced by fighting on June 26. (Photo: KNU Central)

The Arakan Army (AA) says the Myanmar military has recently detained 32 innocent civilians from Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun townships.

The Myanmar military has reportedly arrested two residents of Muyin village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township on suspicion of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army (AA). 

Family members are worried about the safety of people recently arrested by the Myanmar military in Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun townships because they have not been allowed to meet the detainees, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Townships in northern Arakan State have recently been subjected to strict military inspections, making it difficult for locals to travel, according to locals.

Residents in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have voiced concern over the potential proliferation of counterfeit banknotes after the recent discovery of K350,000 in bogus bills. 

The Myanmar military fired artillery shells into two villages in Mon State’s Bilin Township, killing a female schoolteacher and her baby and injuring another woman, according to local sources.

Residents of Rathedaung Township are having to repair the local Zedipyin-Maw Htet bridge with their own money after the military regime refused to fund the fixes.

People displaced by fighting near the new town of Lay Kay Kaw in Myawaddy Township, Kayin (Karen) State, are currently in need of shelter and food, according to aid workers. 

Diesel prices have risen sharply since the Myanmar military seized power, this week hitting around K500 more per litre than the price of petrol.

The Shwe Pyi Tan ferryboat service on Friday suspended all of its operations across Arakan State until further notice as the regime is conducting extensive searches and has made several arrests following the abduction of two junta soldiers earlier this week.

Myanmar’s junta has detained at least 20 people in Sittwe, including the administrator of Anauk Sanpya ward, after the Arakan Army (AA) detained a Myanmar military captain and a private in the Arakan State capital on Thursday, according to locals.

The Myanmar military has detained 15 residents in Sittwe after the Arakan Army (AA) detained a captain and a private in the Arakan State capital on Thursday, according to residents. 

Two kidnapped educators from Maungdaw who were abducted last week have been returned to Arakan State after being briefly held for questioning by Bangladeshi authorities following their release from captivity. 

Two underage Muslim youths from Paungtoke village in Arakan Sate’s Mrauk-U Township were arrested by the Myanmar military on June 22, and the pair has not yet been released.

The Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association (AHRDPA) said in a statement on Friday that the Myanmar military’s arbitrary arrests of civilians in Arakan State are a clear violation of human rights.

Four religious buildings and more than 20 houses were destroyed by artillery fired by the Myanmar military in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, in the second week of June, according to locals.

Family members have not been allowed to meet Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, a political and social activist in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, who was arrested by the Myanmar military, said Ma Khaing Khaing, the wife of the detainee.