IDPs in Paletwa Twsp pushed to return home, say camp officials

By DMG 30 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
30 September 2021, Paletwa (Chin State) 

The Arakan State Administration Council has twice this month called for internally displaced people (IDPs) to return to their homes at various IDP camps in Paletwa Township, Chin State. 

The Arakan State Administration Council summoned camp officials to the township administration office for the first time on September 22, and then to Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 289 in Paletwa in the second instance, on September 28, according to the camp officials. 

“They [military council officials] called us to return the IDPs. They say funds have been allocated to help repair houses in villages damaged by the fighting. IDPs do not agree on when to return. There are IDPs who want to return home and there are those who do not want to return,” an IDP camp official who spoke on condition of anonymity told DMG. 

Some of the IDPs want to return to their hometowns to work and earn a living, but others do not want to do so due to livelihood hardships and transportation problems. 

Ko Kyaw Moe Lin, who is sheltering at an IDP camp set up at the local football stadium in Paletwa, said he wanted local waterways to be reopened if IDPs were to be returned to their homes. 

“People from villages with few people can return home. Where the whole village has had to flee like us, it is not convenient to go home. There is no opportunity to work or earn a living in the village. Roads are closed, so we may have health problems such as food and medicine,” he added. 

The Myanmar junta has cut off internet access to eight townships in Chin State since September 23 due to clashes between the military (aka Tatmadaw) and the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) earlier this month. 

Daw Ma Chay, an IDP originally from Mee Let Wa village who is taking shelter at an IDP camp opened at an agricultural school in Paletwa, said she did not dare return home because the Tatmadaw was stationed on two hills near the village. 

“With the Myanmar military stationed near the village, IDPs are worried about more fighting and risk of landmines. IDPs will not be able to return home if the Myanmar military does not clear landmines,” she said. 

DMG attempted to contact the Paletwa Township administrator about the return of IDPs, but he could not be reached.  

More than 7,000 people have been displaced in Paletwa Township as a result of clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army.