Plans to adopt online teaching and learning at universities in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic were made without due consideration for the situation in Arakan State, where more than 1 million people are without internet access, according to the Arakan Students’ Union.

A clash broke out near Kyauktan village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on the afternoon of July 16, injuring three villagers, according to residents.

A returnee from China who was under quarantine in Yaung Sone village, Kyauktaw Township, reportedly died on July 14 at Apaukwa cottage hospital, but his death is not being attributed to COVID-19.

Two men from Yay Nan Dwein village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township were arrested by the Myanmar Army on July 13, according to family members of the detainees. 

The family of a villager in Arakan State who died by hanging while in military custody says it has no faith in the Tatmadaw’s official explanation for his violent demise. 

Sales of dried fish have been on the decline due to lower market demand, according to dried fish merchants in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, who cite adverse conditions including ongoing conflict in the region and the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for the slump. 

Nine people who were trapped in Chainkharli village, Rathedaung Township, due to fighting near the village on Monday morning were rescued on Tuesday evening, according to the village administrator.

Political parties in Arakan State are struggling to make preparations for the upcoming general election due to the prolonged internet shutdown affecting some townships, according to party officials. 

Family members have asked the Myanmar Army to release two detainees from Zin Chaung village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, saying the military was within its rights to take action against the accused if it finds them guilty of wrongdoing. 

Three civilians were wounded by heavy shelling in New Chainkharli village, part of Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township, after gunshots were heard between the Old and New Chainkharli villages on the morning of July 13.

Two people from Kyauk Phyar village in Myebon Township, Arakan State, were reportedly injured by gunfire from a Myanmar Army contingent near Kazukaing Bridge in Ann Township, according to residents.

A resident of Bawdigone village in southern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, was trampled to death by a wild elephant while en route to his farm on Saturday, locals said.

With artillery shells landing near Done Paik village in Rathedaung Township since Sunday morning, villagers in the area have been fleeing their homes, residents said.

Two men from Sai Chone village in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, were reportedly arrested by the Myanmar military on July 11, according to residents.

Heavy weapons and small arms fire in Ponnagyun Township’s Ywarhaung ward left an elderly man dead and a teenage girl wounded on July 11, according to the victims’ family members.

A 37-year-old woman from U Gar village in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, has filed a lawsuit at the Sittwe Myoma police station against three members of the Myanmar Army over an alleged rape.

Two boatmen who returned to Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, from Bangladesh after transporting commodities were reportedly found to have been infected with coronavirus, according to the Maungdaw District Department of Public Health.

Two women from Aung Bala village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township were injured by stray bullets fired by the Myanmar Army on July 11, according to family members of the victims.

The Manaung Public Company’s hotel and tourism zone, one of 10 “master plans” that the firm has put together to further development in Manaung Township, is targeting a November opening date, with applications currently being accepted for hotel staff positions.