Military says push to dismantle Sa Nyin camp is for IDPs’ safety

28 Jan 2020

Win Nyunt and Khin Tharaphy Oo | DMG
27 January, Sittwe

The Tatmadaw on January 27 told IDPs at a temporary camp in Sa Nyin village, Myebon Township, to relocate for their own safety, the military said in a statement, days after its soldiers were accused of forcibly dismantling shelters and ordering the camp’s inhabitants to clear out.

Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) were a frequent occurrence in the area around the camp, which is located close to an AA base, the statement said.

The Tatmadaw had advised the state government to evacuate the IDPs to a more suitable location, it added.

Five soldiers from the No. 66 Light Infantry Division arrived at the camp on Monday afternoon and proposed an alternative site to relocate the IDPs to, said Ashin Thabawa Nadi, an organizer at the Sa Nyin camp.

“They told me the camp is just five or six miles from the armed conflict-affected area. They addressed the Minister of Security and Border Affairs to relocate the camp. They also said their senior commander ordered them to evacuate the camp,” the monk said.

The camp was set up more than 10 days ago and about 300 people from Inngyin, Hin Kha Yaw and Laythwin villages in Myebon Township were taking refuge there, he said.

Although the IDPs did not want to relocate, the monk applied with authorities to arrange a new location for the camp, he added.

“IDPs requested to provide a place from which they can see their village. I am not sure if authorities can arrange such kind of place or not,” the monk said.

DMG attempts to seek comment from the AA’s spokesperson regarding the Tatmadaw statement were unsuccessful.

U Arrakha, the manager of the camp, told DMG that a military column arrived at the camp in the evening of January 25 and destroyed some shelters and tarpaulin sheets, also telling the IDPs there to dismantle the rest of the camp and leave the area.

The Tatmadaw told some media that the military presence in and around the Sa Nyin camp was related to security operations, and that its troops were not responsible for any destruction at the camp.

• Shelters at Sa Nyin IDP camp in Myebon Township destroyed