IDPs take refuge in Sittwe say they’ll return home when safety is guaranteed

By Thet Naing 13 May 2019

Thet Naing/ DMG

May 13, Sittwe

Displaced people from skirmishes who took refuge in some monasteries in Sittwe were told by authorities to return home by May 12, said a senior monk from Amyotha monastery who accepted war refugees.

U Thu Nanda from Amyotha monastery in Sittwe said: “Authorities from Sittwe Township Administration Office visited the monastery and told me to let villagers return home.”

The monk asked the authorities if they can guarantee these people’s safety and asked about other requirements for their residences, the monk said.

Although authorities told them to return home, refugees said they would go back home when their region becomes a safe zone without any armed conflicts.

“We came to this town to stay here. If we are not provided any aid, we will try to earn a living working at any jobs. We won’t return to our old homes. We came here because we could not stay in our homes,” said Daw Thein Nu Aye, who was displaced from her home in Yay Soe Chaung village, Rathedaung Township.

The monk told the authorities that these people will return home if the government can absolutely assure them they will be safe in their own village.

“The regional government is kind of like parents for the people. So, I’d like to request the government to take responsibility for their life, prosperity, education, health and other requirements,” the monk told the authorities.

The total of 63 people from Rathedaung and Buthidaung Townships are taking refuge in the Amyotha monastery, and some donors and the monk have currently provided relief aid for them.

The DMG contacted U Soe Thet Swe, administrator of Sittwe Township, regarding authorities’ request to the monk to tell villagers to return home, he said to ask the minister for Municipal Affairs. Then, the DMG called the minister, but he could not be reached for any comment.

Villagers recently took refuge in Amyotha, Kayu Chaung and Kaw Hti Kar Yone monasteries in Sittwe.