Displaced villagers face hunger, arbitrary arrest in Sittwe

By Admin 03 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 July 2024, Sittwe

It has been nearly three weeks since the regime forcibly relocated residents from at least 14 villages on the outskirts of Sittwe into the town, and those displaced say they are going hungry and are at risk of arbitrary arrest.

Supplies are dwindling in the Arakan State capital Sittwe due to the junta’s blockading of roads and waterways, and prices have soared due to the limited availability of goods.

With the price of rice having risen to 300,000 kyats per sack in Sittwe and other consumer staples also skyrocketing in cost, the relocated villagers are struggling without jobs or any assistance.

“We can’t afford to eat rice. Back in our village, we could still find something to eat. How can we survive for long if things go on like this? We are going to starve soon,” said a woman who was forcibly moved to Sittwe.

Many villagers are staying at monasteries, while others are staying at the homes of relatives and friends. The regime has not provided any assistance to them despite the significant upheaval to their lives and livelihoods.

One Sittwe resident said: “Even the town residents who remain in Sittwe are struggling to survive. It is more difficult for them. I doubt that they can endure for long.”

The regime has been making arbitrary arrests of civilians and it conducts regular checks of households for unregistered guests.

Junta soldiers arrested more than 200 residents including women and teenagers in Mingan Ward on June 16. Villagers who were forcibly relocated to Sittwe Town were among those detained.

The regime has opened cases against at least 40 of the detainees under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for allegedly having ties to the Arakkha Army (AA). It has released other detainees.

“We are like birds in a cage. The regime does not take responsibility for those it has forced to move. And it is arresting them,” lamented a displaced resident of Aung Dine Village.

Junta troops have occupied the villages that they have emptied of residents and are looting villagers’ property, according to witnesses.

One Amyint Kyun villager said: “Junta soldiers and Muslim conscripts looted houses. They stole motorbikes, boxes and anything else valuable.”

The regime forcibly relocated Amyint Kyun Village residents on June 26 and also detained around 50 villagers. Family members are concerned for their safety.

With the AA having seized almost all of the townships in northern Arakan State, the regime has prepared a defensive stand in Sittwe.