The National League for Democracy (NLD) has confirmed that the detained former chief minister of Arakan State, U Nyi Pu, has been charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, a provision that has frequently been used to stifle dissent under successive Myanmar governments.

Fifteen members of the Myanmar Press Council (MPC) have quit the organisation in the face of new restrictions by the military regime that they say threaten press freedom in the country. 

The chairman of the State Administration Council’s Information Committee has said the military government will set up three new peace committees during the state of emergency to work toward achieving genuine peace and “pragmatic results.”

Three National League for Democracy (NLD) youth members in Taungup Township were arrested by township police on Wednesday morning, the latest of at least 19 people in Arakan State detained for anti-coup protests since the military’s February 1 takeover. 

U Nga Htay of Thayetpin Chaung village stepped on the landmine while foraging for wild vegetables along mountainous terrain outside the village on Wednesday morning, according to U Kyaw Htay, who accompanied U Nga Htay.

As you know, I was arrested over a talk on the topic of the fall of the Arakan Kingdom. Those who arrested me and the author [Wai Hun Aung] at the time were irrational to have arrested us over a talk. They failed to notice that the event was allowed for years under the U Thein Sein government. So, those who imprisoned me will not be happy if I say that I thank Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing for releasing me.

Resolving Myanmar’s current issues at a roundtable is the best solution, said Saw Mya Razar Lin, spokesperson for the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP).

The Tatmadaw began landmine clearance operations on February 15 along the Ann-Sittwe road and around Angumaw and Khamaung Seik villages in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, according to the Arakan State Administration Council.

The participation of the Arakan National Party (ANP) in the State Administration Council will reportedly be decided on the basis of whether it is in the best interests of the Arakanese people.

Curfew orders in some Arakan State townships that were imposed as COVID-19 infection rates climbed alarmingly last year have been revoked, but the order in war-affected townships remains in effect, with authorities citing security reasons.

Commodity flows into Arakan State have slowed since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup early this month, according to local businessmen.

The Myanmar Indigenous Peoples/Ethnic Nationalities Network, a 28-member alliance working on indigenous rights issues in the country, released a statement on February 12 expressing its opposition to this month’s military coup and support for nationwide protests against authoritarianism.

A list of people 18 years of age and older is being compiled in Arakan State for mass inoculation purposes, according to the state’s Public Health Department, as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Myanmar continues this month.

Myanmar’s military regime released thousands of inmates on Friday as a gesture to celebrate the country’s 74th Union Day. A total of 646 prisoners were released in Arakan State, according to state Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Min Than.

Banks are temporarily closed following the Tatmadaw’s seizure of power in Myanmar, presenting Arakan State residents with troubles because they cannot withdraw money from their accounts.

The prominent Arakanese politician Dr. Aye Maung and writer Wai Hun Aung, both serving long-term sentences for treason, were among more than 23,000 prisoners released nationwide under an amnesty by Myanmar’s new junta on Friday. 

After an initial period of quiet in the wake of the Tatmadaw’s February 1 coup, residents of Arakan State have increasingly made their displeasure known as protests have been reported in several townships of Myanmar’s westernmost territory this week.

Former Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu and two fellow National League for Democracy (NLD) politicians in Arakan State have been detained by the Tatmadaw in recent days, with their whereabouts unknown and no contact made with them as of Thursday afternoon, family members said. 

Protests against the February 1 military coup have been met with arrests and charges by authorities in at least three Arakan State townships over recent days as discontent continues to bring thousands out to the streets in cities and towns across Myanmar.