ANP pens open letter demanding end to Tatmadaw militancy in Arakan State

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 06 Sep 2020

Khin Thaphy Oo | DMG
6 September, Sittwe 

The Arakan National Party (ANP) has sent an open letter to Myanmar’s leadership, calling for an immediate end to the military’s operational strategy in Arakan State, where civilian casualties continue to climb despite a COVID-19 outbreak prompting lockdowns in much of the region.  

The government and Tatmadaw are fully responsible for protecting innocent civilians in accordance with the law, said the letter, accusing the military of committing violations of human rights ranging from indiscriminate gunfire and arbitrary arrests to forcible displacement of villagers. 

Dated September 5, the open letter was sent to President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the country’s commander-in-chief, Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing. 

The military has been accused of multiple shelling incidents in Arakan State in recent weeks, as well as setting fire to two villages in Kyauktaw Township.  

A Tatmadaw spokesperson has denied military involvement in the latter incident.  

The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) also released a statement on September 5, saying the Tatmadaw needs to show broad-mindedness by extending its unilateral ceasefire to include Arakan State during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ALD urged both sides of the conflict to reach a ceasefire. 

The ANP was the most successful political party in Arakan State in the 2015 general election, and looks likely to be a top regional contender heading into this year’s vote on November 8.