With the rainy season arriving in Myanmar, five people have died from electrocution in the Arakan State’s capital Sittwe since early May, according to local social organisations. 

Despite recent talks between Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) in exile and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), the military is unlikely to open a new front of active hostilities in Arakan State, some political observers say. 

Officials from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) say the country has been devastated by the February 2021 military coup. 

Banyan trees, vines, moss and other plants that can damage pagodas, stupas and other religious structures in the Mrauk-U cultural heritage zone will be removed using chemical herbicides, according to the Mrauk-U branch of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum. 

Three youths from Pyilone Chanthar camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township were arrested at Pauk Taw Pyin security checkpoint on the Rathedaung-Ponnagyun road on Monday. 

A special court inside Mon State’s Kyaikmaraw Prison has sentenced the ousted Mon State chief minister, Dr. Aye Zan, to 21 years in prison on nine charges under the Anti-Corruption Law, according to sources close to the court. 

The military regime’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement has resumed provision of rice to some camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State, but other camps have yet to receive supplies from the ministry. 

The Arakan State military council has imposed restrictions on the supply of rice to Dar Lat Chaung village-tract in Ann Township since May 6, according to local residents. 

Myanmar junta soldiers searched for officials of the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA), in Tanlwe Ywama town, Taungup District, on Monday. 

The Arakan Army (AA) warned on Sunday that clashes could take place at any time in Arakan State due to growing military tensions between it and Myanmar’s military regime. 

Myanmar’s opposition civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) had a virtual meeting on Monday, wrote NUG Vice President Duwa Lashi La on his Facebook page. 

Fighting has been reported in villages near the Dawei-Hteekhee road in Tanintharyi Region, and locals are fleeing. 

Twenty-four local youth organisations, including the Arakan Students’ Union, on May 15 issued a joint statement condemning the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)’s participation in the peace talks being organised by the military junta. 

The Arakan Army (AA) warned that clashes could take place at any time in Arakan State due to growing military tensions between it and Myanmar’s military regime.

An elderly man was killed in a landmine explosion near Thaboh Zarphet village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township on Sunday morning, according to family members of the victim. 

An Arakan National Party (ANP) central committee meeting was held in Gwa Township, Arakan State, from May 12-13 to discuss internal affairs and strengthening the influential Arakanese political party. 

An ancient sitting Buddha stone sculpture was unearthed near Pyuma Creek, about one mile from the village of Kyar Nat Kan in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township.  

Local farmers in Arakan State’s Manaung Township said peanuts have been damaged due to incessant rains since the beginning of this month. 

Following in his predecessors’ footsteps, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has blamed external interference for instability in Myanmar.