Over 200 students from Paletwa stuck in Kyauktaw due to junta’s water route blockade

By Admin 24 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
24 November 2023, Kyauktaw

More than 200 correspondent students from Chin State’s Paletwa Township have reportedly been stranded in Kyauktaw due to the junta’s blockading of land and water routes in the state.

The correspondent students are from downtown Paletwa and some villages in the township. They took the examination at Sittwe University and returned to Kyauktaw with recommendation letters issued by Sittwe University.

“Some students live in their relatives’ homes and some stay at guesthouses. We have run out of money and face many difficulties. We currently eat one meal per day,” said a correspondent student stuck in Kyauktaw.

Correspondent students in Paletwa have been stuck in Kyauktaw and are unable to return home as the regime has blocked off the water route between Kyauktaw and Paletwa since November 13. The students are asking authorities to make arrangements as soon as possible for them to return home.

“I don’t know exactly when we will be able to return home. We would like to ask the authorities to make arrangements as soon as possible for us to return home,” said a female correspondent student.

The junta blocked off the land and water routes to Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa since renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) on November 13.

The junta allowed correspondent students from other townships to return home with recommendation letters issued by Sittwe University on November 19. But the correspondent students from Pauktaw, where fighting is still fierce, have been barred from returning home.

“Distance learners have reportedly been stranded in Kyauktaw and they are unable to return home due to the junta’s blockading of land and water routes. They reportedly face financial hardships and parents are worried about their safety,” said the parent of a correspondent student in Paletwa.

Fighting has been ongoing for one week following the AA’s offensive against two hilltop positions near Taronai Village in Paletwa Township began around 6 a.m. on November 14, and junta troops responded with aerial support and shelling.