Relatives of detainees charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law over alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA) are expecting the release of the accused as Myanmar’s military regime has removed the Arakanese rebel group from its list of terrorist groups. 

The 10 ethnic armed organisations that are signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) are going to discuss, General Yawd Serk said at a Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) meeting on March 12.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) said it would cooperate with Myanmar’s coup leaders if it is allowed to take the helm of Arakan State’s affairs, as one of the country’s most formidable ethnic political parties seeks to further clarify its relationship with the military regime. 

A women’s group’s pro-democracy campaign in Arakan State under the motto “Our Htamein [sarong], Our Flag, Our victory” to mark International Women’s Day on March 8 at Ngapali Beach has drawn both support and criticism. 

According to a decision of the second conference of the Arakan National Party held in 2019, the ANP allowed Dr. Aye Maung to resign from the party, Policy Affairs Steering Committee member U Pe Than told DMG. 

A memorial service for those killed in fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army was held at Naypukhan camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, on March 11. 

Three members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Arakan State’s Taungup Township including former state lawmaker U Min Aung have submitted to a court that they would prefer to appear in-person to testify, instead of video conferencing, due to telecommunications problems. 

With drug users allegedly congregating around Kandawgyi — the main water supply lake for the Arakan State capital Sittwe — nearby residents are worried about their security, the latter said. 

The Peace Process Steering Team’s temporary leader General Yawd Serk says he was very sad for all fallen people during the recent fatal crackdowns of the State Administration Council on protests and the Civil Disobedience Movement, adding that the PPST will work with the people to end the dictatorship.

Doctors assigned to provide healthcare services in Arakan State have headed home, giving a variety of reasons including that patients were not punctual for appointments, patients said. 

Local passengers worry about their safety given that the main waterway from Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township to Paletwa Township in Chin State will only be navigable after seeking permission from security checkpoints set up by the Tatmadaw. 

Authorities in Arakan State’s Manaung Township began checking overnight visitors from March 8, in accordance with a legal provision that was reinstated by the military-run State Administration Council. 

Five residents of Myebon Township, Arakan State, who were charged under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law have been acquitted by the Kyaukphyu District Court, according to their lawyer. 

Myanmar’s military governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), removed the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) from its list of terrorist groups on Thursday, but the SAC has not yet revoked the ethnic armed organisation’s status as an unlawful association. 

Some brick pillars at the Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image in Kyauktaw Township, revered as a treasure of Arakanese history, are not strong enough to withstand natural disasters and require donations to structurally fortify and renovate damaged bits, according to its board of trustees.

The Independent Journalists’ Force (IJF), describing itself as a recently formed network of more than 300 individual journalists, has rejected a recent junta announcement revoking the publishing licences of five prominent Yangon-based media outlets.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) Central Executive Committee is holding a two-day closed-door meeting from March 10-11.

Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army (AA) are negotiating to clear landmines in the mountains and forests where the two sides clashed in the past, according to Colonel Min Than, a member of the military-run Arakan State Administration Council.  

Preparations are underway to resume Sittwe border trade, which has been suspended since June of last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U Tin Aung Oo, chair of the Arakan State Chambers of Commerce and Industry.