Dozens of ward and village administrators resign amid heightened military tensions in Ponnagyun Twsp

By DMG 26 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
26 November 2022, Ponnagyun 

More than 70 out of approximately 90 junta-appointed ward and village administrators in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, where the military and Arakan Army (AA) have exchanged fire with deadly effect in recent weeks, have reportedly tendered resignation letters to the township administrator’s office in recent days. 

Several administrators contacted by DMG said the local officials resigned because they were worried about the armed threat that had erupted since August, and the political ramifications of the renewed conflict. 

Junta troops have frequently entered villages unannounced in recent months, in many cases not communicating their arrival because they suspect the local administrator of having ties or loyalty to the Arakan Army, said an administrator who did not want to be named for security reasons. At the same time, their status as junta-appointed administrators has put them in a difficult position vis-a-vis the Arakan Army, the local leader added. 

“The ward and village administrators are threatened by both sides [military and Arakan Army]. The military doesn’t view us favourably, and the ULA/AA is also suspicious. If the military troops want to enter villages, we should be informed in advance,” he said.  

The village administrator continued: “The ULA/AA [United League of Arakan/Arakan Army] is suspicious that we work for the military. The village administrators have difficulties working between the army and the AA.” 

Among the dozens of local leaders to tender their resignations this month were the administrators of Sabarhtar, Aungzeya, Khamaungtaw, Ai Tin, Tankhoe, Phayargyi, Kyeinchaung and Diparyon villages. 

“We tendered resignation letters to the township administrator for safety reasons, because we could not protect the local people and we are not recognised by the junta soldiers or ULA/AA,” said another village administrator who asked for anonymity. 

“We had to go into hiding when junta forces or ULA/AA troops entered the village,” he added. “The residents of the village are also not very fond of the administrator, since the administrator himself cannot protect them. We are worried about our safety and the area is unstable, and so we decided to resign.” 

Adding to concerns among Ponnagyun Township’s ward and village administrators are the arrests of their peers farther north in Arakan State, in several cases on suspicion of having ties to the AA. 

“We cannot protect local people and have to run away when junta soldiers enter the village. Our peers in the Buthidaung and Maungdaw region were reportedly arrested by the military on suspicion of having links with the AA. So we decided to resign from our posts,” one village administrator explained. 

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Ponnagyun Township Administrator U Maung San Win or Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura regarding the matter. 

Some 7,000 residents from several villages in Ponnagyun Township have recently fled their homes due to junta raids and artillery strikes.

Dozens of ward and village administrators in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Rathedaung, and Minbya townships resigned amid the Myanmar military’s arrests of their peers during the 2018-2020 fighting between the military and Arakan Army.