IDPs demand a stop to hostilities in Arakan State

By Kyaw Thu Htay 28 Sep 2019

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG
28 September, Sittwe
     
The ongoing fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Arakan State has been affecting local people and IDPs from conflict ridden areas demand a ceasefire in their region.

Local refugees have demanded an end to the war as quickly as possible and said that they have been facing appalling hardships on all sides; they are facing difficulties with their livelihood, heath care, education access and other matters.

The armed conflict started in Arakan State in December last year and has forced local residents from their homes and the number of IDPs has now reached over 65,000.

A refugee who is taking shelter in Sittwe city’s Dhammar Rama monastery said that she wanted to return home because she was happy to live peacefully in her own house.

“I do not want war. I am over sixty now. I have never dealt with this kind of hardship before. We have been facing difficulties with getting food and sleeping since we fled from home. We do not have sufficient food and clothes since we had to evacuate our homes quickly. We want to return home,” said Daw Thaung May.

The hostilities in the region cause civilian deaths and the Tatmadaw arrest people who they believe have involvement with the AA. These actions create insecurity in people, that’s why they desire a ceasefire as quickly as possible and want them to negotiate peace talks.

U Kala Phyu, an IDP from the Dhammar Rama monastery, said that they were concerned for the education of their children and their livelihood.

“If wars broke out often here, how can we earn money from our livelihood? If we cannot do our job, we have no money to provide food and education for our children. We all are worried about these issues. An important thing for us is that no war in our region,” he said.

Despite the fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA, both sides are trying to negotiate a peace pact. But, the Tatmadaw wants the AA to base themselves in Laiza, Kachin State while the AA aimed to establish a stronghold in its homeland Arakan State, this has hampered the progress of signing a bilateral ceasefire agreement.