Arakanese villagers ban drinking and gambling

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 28 Apr 2019

Khin Tharaphy Oo/ DMG

April 28, Sittwe

Villagers in Rakhine State have banned consuming alcohol and gambling in their villages as a move to prevent any potential problems.  

The move, called “Gama Panyat”, has been launched based on their own decisions and it is gradually spreading to villages from Sittwe, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun Townships across Rakhine State.

U San Maung, administrator for Sar Byin village in Pauktaw Township, said: “All villagers unanimously decided to ban alcohol and gambling in the village. They were not instructed by other people to do so. Their intention is for the welfare of the people.”

U Wai Hla Aung from Tin Nyo village, Mrauk-U Township, said that 50 percent of social problems caused in their village were the result of drinking.

“Under the approval of all villagers, alcohol and betting is banned in our village. Villagers make mistakes under the influence of alcohol.  If they are intoxicated, their judgement is not clear or lucid and they may say things that are inappropriate or offensive to other people. To prevent such situations, villagers decided to ban alcohol and gambling in their village,” said U Hla Saw Tun, administrator for Min Phoo village in Rathedaung Township.

The ban is reportedly a directive from the Arakan Army, but the AA said they did not tell people to refrain from drinking and gambling.

“People are looking out for positive interests of their community. We did not make any instruction and orders to them. It was a conscious decision based on the needs of their village,” said Khiang Thukha, spokesperson of the AA.

Many villagers in Rakhine State have drinking problems and this recent move to ban alcoholic beverages is good for the community as a whole, he added.