People face difficulty because of curfew, MPs say

By Khaing Roe La 05 Apr 2019

Khaing Roe La/DMG

April 4, Sittwe

Since authorities imposed a curfew in troubled areas of five townships in Rakhine State_ Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung_ local residents face difficulties in their daily life, members of parliament said.

According to the orders of the Rakhine State government, local residents are told not to go outside between 9 p.m and 5 a.m as of April 2 in the five townships.

The curfew has made it problematic for fishermen and vendors to conduct their work and carry out their businesses, said U Maung Maung, Rakhine State Hluttaw representative for Kyauktaw Township.

“Vendors must travel to a town’s market early in the morning, at about 4 a.m by boat to sell their vegetables. So, after the curfew order, there are some hassles in the local markets.  Fishermen who have to work based on the ebb and flow of the tide face more difficulties,” U Maung Maung said.

There is also public concern for emergency health cases at nights.

“People are concerned about emergency patients who need to go to hospital any time, day or night. Authorities have said if any emergency cases occur, people can report to relevant officials from the General Administration Office for approval. We have to wait and see how to deal with such cases,” said U Kyaw Win, Rakhine State Hluttaw representative for Mrauk-U Township.

The curfew also prompts a rise in the price of commodities in the affected five townships.

“Those who have to live from hand to mouth suffer a big hardship. Fishermen and vendors lose financial opportunities because they cannot start their livelihood at an earlier hour. The commodity prices are also increasing,” said U Hla Thein Aung, Rakhine State Hluttaw representative for Minbya Township.

The term of the curfew order is two months and people are not allowed to move about outside during curfew hours in the precincts of the affected townships.

The order of curfew has also been imposed in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships following the 2016 violence, and authorities extended it.

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Curfew imposed in Northern Rakhine’s conflict areas