Pro-military rallies in some Arakan State townships attract criticism

By DMG 01 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
1 November 2021, Sittwe

Arakan political parties, civil society organisations and residents have criticised the recent holding of pro-military rallies in Arakan State.

U Khaing Pyi Soe, general secretary of Arakan National Party, said the rallies risked destablising the relative stability that Arakan State is enjoying at the moment.

“It is not good to make the situation unstable here. So, we should consider it. We need to think before we hold a pro-military rally because our people do not participate in it. The demonstrators might be family members of Tatmadaw and police. We need to avoid it [holding a pro-military rally],” he said.

On November 1, a pro-military rally was held at the Arakan State capital Sittwe, with family members of soldiers and former soldiers participating.

Ko Than Hla, a member of Rakhine Youth New Generation, said: “Pro-military rallies in Arakan State are not held by CSOs and nationalists in the state. They [the military] have been excluded from the ASEAN Summit and other people do not support them. So, they hold the events to show they have supporters.”

U Hla Myint, spokesperson for the Arakan League for Democracy, said holding pro-military rallies was not in the interests of the country and its people.

“Holding pro-military rallies leads to bad results for the union,” he said.

Pro-military rallies were also held in the towns of Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Maungdaw, Ann and Rathedaung, reportedly organised by families of military personnel and veterans.

Ko Than Hla, a member of Rakhine Youth New Generation, said holding pro-military rallies in some Arakan State townships could lead to misunderstandings among ethnic nationals.

“Everyone has their own opinion. But people in Arakan State are not interested in the rally. Other ethnic nationals need to notice it. We need to understand that the Tatmadaw is seeking to see Arakanese people supporting the regime council,” Ko Than Hla said.

Ko Myo Lwin, a social activist in Ann Township, said: “The pro-military rally is not spirited. People do not participate in it. It is just a political show. It is not unusual that people from the military compound support the military.”