With an Internet shutdown in some Arakan State townships now in place for over six months, one of the world’s longest blackouts of its kind continues to prompt criticism from civil society organizations.

A village administrator in Arakan State’s Minbya Township, accused by the Tatmadaw of being an Arakan Army (AA) cadre and found dead earlier this month, had no such ties to the ethnic armed group, according to the dead man’s family and an AA spokesperson.

Though the harvest season is upon farmers in Arakan State, a local from Minbya Township says many are struggling to reap their paddy with fighting ongoing nearby.

Fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army may intensify in Arakan State and the conflict zone could widen, the AA said in a statement released on 17 December.

“Political dialogues are emerging now to set basic policies to build a democratic federal Union in line with the wishes of all people in Myanmar. At this time, does it really require the use of violent means, which harm people?” asked Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Guns fired continuously while she was standing in her house compound after she returned from a wedding. Artillery shells landed like rainfall around her house, which is located in the center of Kam Htaung Gyi town. One of them hit her head directly, damaging her skull seriously,”

The three roadside blasts in front of the Nga Inn village cemetery, about two miles from Manaung town, were reported on 19 December at about 6:30 a.m. The state counsellor arrived at Manaung town at 9 a.m. and attended the opening ceremony for the solar power plant in Kha Ohn Maw village.

About 20 schools have been temporarily shuttered in Arakan State’s Minbya Township due to recent clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA), according to members of the education communities in the township.

President U Win Myint used the occasion of Arakan State Day last week to urge the people of Myanmar’s troubled westernmost state to do their part to bring about the stability that will allow the region to realize its development potential.

The Arakan National Party says poll organizers should negotiate with the Arakan Army (AA) to hold elections in conflict-torn Arakan State ahead of the 2020 nationwide vote, but the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) is arguing that such talks would not be appropriate given the current political climate.

More than 2000 Muslims in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, have been affected by the ongoing fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army, Buthidaung Township administrator U Shwe Hla Aung told the DMG.

Since hostilities between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army have intensified in Myebon Township, the number of internally displace people has increased.

More than 1000 villagers have fled from their homes since a military column has entered Thaung Dra village in Rathedaung Township on 14 December, according to local sources.

The Executive Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Arakan State released a statement on 16 December, demanding to immediately release of U Ye Thein, the chair of NLD for Buthidaung Township.

The ongoing armed conflict claimed five civilians and hurt 19 others between 8 and 14 December. Another 10 people have been detained during that period. Fierce clashes broke out in Minbya and Myebon Townships and a police station was attacked.

Standard security restrictions are affecting the daily situation of civilians, regardless of their background due to ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army, which seeks autonomy or independence for Arakan State and the Tatmadaw, said State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

After village administrator of Phone Thar Wa village tract in Minbya Township was shot and killed by a Tatmadaw column on 11 December night, other village administrators are concerned for their safety and want to resign.

The body of Kyaukmaw village administrator U Kyaw Aye Maung, who was abducted by the Tatmadaw, was found at the bottom of Mt. Minbu, west of Thalu Chaung village, in the afternoon on 14 December at about 4 p.m., according to family members.

“The Arakan Army (AA) seeks autonomy or independence for Arakan State, as it was called—finding inspiration in the memory of the historic Kingdom of Arakan,” the State Counsellor said on 11 December.