Junta orders shops to close by 10 p.m. in Sittwe

By DMG 27 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 September 2022, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has recently ordered all shops and vendors to close by 10 p.m. in the Arakan State capital Sittwe. Shop owners and street vendors say the order negatively affects their livelihoods.

Signed by the junta-appointed Sittwe Township administrative body chairman U Kyaw Lwin, the notice issued on Saturday to ward and village administrators requires shops including restaurants, other eateries, tea shops, convenience stores, pubs, KTV lounges and roadside stalls to close before 10 p.m., citing security concerns.

Eateries have since been forced to close their shops starting from 9:30 p.m., and their revenues have thus declined, according to a businessman who runs a BBQ restaurant on Sittwe Beach.

“Some customers do not come when it is around 9 o’clock. And customers can’t stay up late into the night. So, we have seen a decline in income,” he said. “The business is not good even though distance learners are studying [at Sittwe University] now. Previously, my restaurant was crowded in the evenings. Business has significantly slowed lately.”

Another shop owner who sells cold drinks and snacks on Viewpoint Street lamented that they could previously operate past 11 p.m.

“Now we close our shop when the clock strikes nine. And we go home, because we don’t want to talk with police and soldiers,” she said.

Auto rickshaw drivers are also being affected by the order, as early closure of shops means fewer passengers for them.

“Previously, we could still find passengers returning from a night out past 11 o’clock. However, there are only a few people on the streets now at night. So, our income has declined,” said auto rickshaw driver Ko Su.

Sittwe resident Ko Aung Naing Tun called on authorities to relax the order, saying it is taking a toll on street vendors and auto rickshaw drivers.

“The order is affecting many. And it is not easy to hail a ride if you need to go to a hospital for a health emergency. [Authorities] should relax, and allow [establishments to operate] until around 12,” he said.

Myanmar’s military regime has also imposed nighttime curfews in Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships following escalating military tensions and clashes with the Arakan Army (AA) in the state.