Arakan State News Summary (September 16-22, 2021)

By DMG 23 Sep 2021

16 September 

• The Covid-19 infection rate in Gwa Township was reportedly decreasing after a strict local regulation was imposed last month.
• The latest draft proposal for the designation of Mrauk-U as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was submitted this month, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.
• The Sittwe Township Court handed down sentences of two years and six months’ imprisonment to four students — Ko Kyaw Naing Htay, Ko Oo Than Naing, Ko Mrat Soe Win and Ko Kaung Tun — charged for an anti-military protest in October 2020.
• At least 1,089 people have been killed and 6,477 others arrested in Myanmar since the February 1 coup, according to a press release from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
• With collaboration between the Dr. Saw Mya Aung Foundation and YUNAN AID, the Tharliswa free clinic was christened in Minbya town.
• A boat with 12 tonnes of illegal timber was seized in Maungdaw Township. 

17 September 

• Two people succumbed to Covid-19 in Thandwe Township on September 17, confirmed Dr. Ye Win Tun, medical superintendent of Thandwe District Hospital.
• The Arakan National Party’s Youth Wing denounced a recent verdict of 2.5 years in  prison for four students involved in an October 2020 protest against the previous government and military, with the wing saying they stand with those suffering casualties and displacement during Arakan State’s armed conflict.
• Former National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker U Min Aung and fellow party member Ko Thant Zin Phyo were sentenced to two years and two months in prison by a Taungup Township court for protesting against the military coup earlier this year.
• The military council has released some of those arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law in Arakan State, but more than 160 people are still being detained, local civil society organisations said.
• About 8 tonnes of illegal timber were confiscated from a six-wheeled truck driven by U Thein Tun, a 53-year-old man from Oshitpin town in Bago Region, at the Taungpongyi security checkpoint in Taungup Township.   

18 September 

• Farmers in Arakan State say the soaring price of fertiliser means some are opting to forgo or scale back use of it on their crops this season.
• All lines of the Shwe Pyi Tan express boat service that were suspended due to the third wave of Covid-19 were reportedly set to resume from September 20, but with fares expected to increase 20% compared with previous prices.
• Family members of nine detainees in Taungup Township, who were arrested by the Myanmar military on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law, demanded an immediate investigation into the case.
• Tun Tun Thein, deputy director of the Arakan State Education Office, said reports about the reopening of basic education schools on October 1 were untrue, and that instructions had not yet been issued to reopen the schools.
• The Arakan Students’ Union condemned the sentencing of four Arakanese university students to two years and six months in prison earlier in the week.
• Two patients receiving medical treatment at Rathedaung Hospital died of coronavirus. 

19 September 

• U Thaung Htut, marine conservation manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Myanmar), said the establishment of marine protected areas in Arakan State has been delayed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and political upheaval in the country.
• An 8-year-old boy from Wegyi village in Taungup Township died while being treated for bone cancer in his left arm.
• Twenty-six locals in the Arakan State capital Sittwe were arrested and faced legal sanction for not following Covid-19 rules, according to the Arakan State Administration Council (ASAC).
• Betel nut growers in Arakan State say the price of 25 viss of dried betel nuts is as high as K250,000 this year.
• Zee Kyun Thar Company constructed a water pipeline to supply water to Yebyu Se Ai and Thit Kauk villages in Thandwe Township, with the permission of the local government.
• The Covid-19 vaccine was given to people from five IDP camps in Mrauk-U Township. 

20 September  

• Family members donated an ambulance and cash to Myittar Yaungchi Blood Donor Association and charitable organisations in honour of the late Daw San Nyunt Khin aka Daw Ma Chay from Sittwe.
• Additional Covid-19 vaccines will arrive in Arakan State for more than 130,000 people, said officials of the state’s Department of Public Health.
• Thirty-three internally displaced people (IDPs) from Taung Min Kala IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township were reported ill and lost their sense of smell, raising concerns about a potential coronavirus infection cluster despite the 33 having been recently vaccinated.
• The cost of bricks, sand and stones in Arakan State has risen due to rising fuel prices, according to industry stakeholders.
• An event to donate a land plot to construct Rakkhapura Dhamma University and Mrauk-U Center by the local government was held at Kyar Yoke Monastery in Sittwe. 

21 September 

• With no clashes between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army for some 11 months, tens of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned home, but many are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
• Former Arakan State ministers charged under the Anti-Corruption Law, including ex-Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, appeared for a court hearing via video link from Sittwe Prison.
• Construction work on the Tawkan-Warbo Bridge in Sittwe Township started in 2019, but funding has not yet been allocated to complete the bridge, according to the Department of Rural Road Development.
• There was only one case of human trafficking reported in Arakan State last year, according to the No. 5 Anti-Trafficking Task Force (Sittwe).
• Covid-19 vaccines to be delivered by Myanmar’s military regime will be provided for the people as a matter of priority, a spokesperson for the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) told DMG.
• The Rakkha Yinthwe Regional Development Foundation is conducting an agricultural technology training course for refugee youth in Sittwe.
• Locals say the Wunbaik mangrove forest reserve (WRMF) in Ramree Township, Asia’s second-largest mangrove forest, is being cut down for firewood, adding that the mangroves need further protection efforts.
• A ceremony to mark the International Day of Peace was held in the Arakan State capital Sittwe. 

22 September 

• An expectant mother from Taungmin Kalar camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kyauktaw Township tested positive for coronavirus, camp manager U Aung Kyaw Win told DMG.
• The All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) says at least 25 students have been arrested for street protests prompted by a prolonged internet shutdown in Arakan State and deadly fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
• Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State say the rising prices of basic foodstuffs are making life more difficult for those displaced by conflict.
• People are cooperating in an ongoing effort to place food boxes for those who are hungry, the poor and others in need in Kyaukphyu town.