With intensifying conflict south of Chin State’s Paletwa Township in recent weeks, residents are reporting an increase in commodity prices of up to fourfold as supply lines face disruption.

Fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) on March 8 near Mont Thanpyin village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, forcing more than 300 residents to flee their homes, local administrator U Sein Kyaw said.

The families of two men who were detained on March 8 near Khaung Tote village in Kyauktaw Township are concerned as they have not received any information about the pair since they were taken into custody.

An education staffer was shot near Kyauktan village in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, on March 8 and he is being provided medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital as he suffered a severe abdominal wound, family members said.

The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) has postponed a planned meet up of Arakanese political parties, which had been slated for March 8, after the Arakan Front Party (AFP) was a no-show on the weekend.

A clash occurred between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) near Phar Pyo village in Minbya Township, Arakan State, at about 5 p.m. on March 9, injuring seven civilians and burning down about 10 houses, according to locals.  

Three people, including a 5-year-old child, from Butalone (Muslim) village were injured by gunfire due to fighting near Myaung Bway Bridge in Mrauk-U Township on March 8, according to residents.

Around 400 people, including monks, held a dialogue in Sittwe on March 7 focused on issues of public concern in Arakan State, with the results of the discussion to be submitted to the president.

More than 10,000 people from 38 villages are facing food shortages due to a prohibition on carrying provisions into Dalet village-tract in Ann Township, Arakan State, according to residents.

Food and non-food items donated by the Indian government for people internally displaced (IDPs) by conflict in Arakan State are being distributed in Buthidaung town this month.

The families of six people who were detained by the Tatmadaw while travelling by boat from Kyauktaw to Paletwa have sent a letter to the defence minister demanding that the military release the men. 

One of Arakan State’s most prominent voices in the Union Parliament weighed in on constitutional matters last week as MPs wrapped up a seven-day debate on proposed amendments to the military-drafted charter.

Local party officials have yet to communicate with U Zeyar Min or his captors, about a month after the finance officer for the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Ramree Township, Arakan State, was abducted by unidentified gunmen while on his way home.

Two men from Ai Tin village in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, were arrested at the Kyauktan checkpoint on the outskirts of Sittwe at about 5 p.m. on March 5, according to family members of the detainees.

Six out of nine students accused of leading a demonstration last month demanding the restoration of internet access in nine townships of Arakan and Chin states have been charged under Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law at a court in Yangon’s Kamayut Township, according to the Kamayut Police Station.

A child was reportedly killed and four others wounded in a landmine blast near Paung Toke Muslim village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, according to locals.

The Arakan (Rakhine) Cultural Preservation Committee this year will not be holding the traditional Thingyan festivities that it has previously organized in Sittwe due to clashes in several Arakan State townships over recent months.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) has accepted an offer from the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) to discuss “the current Arakan political situation”, according to an ALD representative.

A village administrator and a resident of Nayan village in Minbya Township, Arakan State, are missing and have been incommunicado for days, with family members concerned for their whereabouts and well-being.