Hundreds of villagers displaced by junta shelling in northern Arakan State seek aid

By DMG 27 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 October 2022, Kyauktaw

Hundreds of residents from six villages in northern Arakan State displaced by junta shelling are reportedly facing livelihood hardships.

More than 1,500 residents from villages including Chaungtu and Daywun in Kyauktaw Township and Buddhaw and Aung Mingalar villages in Ponnagyun Township have fled to safer locations as the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 539, based at the foot of Mt. Kan Sauk, has fired artillery shells into residential areas on a regular basis.

The displaced people (IDPs) have sought refuge in neighbouring villages in Ponnagyun Township, said a resident of Chaungtu Village.

“The residents dared not stay in the village because the artillery shells fired by the military landed and exploded near our village. Some displaced villagers are taking shelter at their relatives’ homes. Some are staying in makeshift tents set up in the villages,” he explained.

Displaced residents of Chaungtu Village have set up makeshift tents near Ganantaung railway station, and they are facing various difficulties including accommodation and food concerns, said U Maung San Win, administrator of the village.

“They [Chaungtu villagers] have been sheltering in makeshift tents near Ganantaung railway station since one month ago. They could bring nothing when they left home. They face livelihood hardships due to lack of donors,” the village administrator added.

Residents of Buddhaw Village in Ponnagyun Township fled in fear as they were forced to send food to junta soldiers deployed on a hill near the village.

“We were forced to buy and send food for them [junta soldiers]. We fled in fear as heavy weapons fired by the military landed in the paddy farmlands. We could not harvest the ripe paddy as we fled to nearby villages. We are currently taking shelter at our relatives’ homes and are facing difficulties,” said a resident of Buddhaw Village.

DMG contacted Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura to seek comment on the villager’s accusations, but he could not be reached.

The Arakan Army (AA) ambushed a junta food convoy near the border of Ponnagyun and Kyauktaw townships on September 29.

Following the clash, heavy weapons fired by LIB No. 539 landed and exploded near Ywetnyotaung and Daywun villages. Five cows were killed in the shelling, according to locals.