Rakhine conflict should be resolved through political means

By Min Htun 27 Apr 2019

Min Tun/ DMG

April 27, Sittwe

Conflicts in Rakhine State should be resolved through a peaceful process because people are facing a great deal of trouble due to ongoing conflicts between the Tatmadaw and the AA, chairperson of Khami Literature and Culture Association said in the ceremony for the 9^th Khami National Day.

Khami people, a tribe in Rakhine State, held a ceremony for Khami National Day at Khaymar Mandaing Monastery in Sittwe on April 27.

“I’d like to request to help our people getting back home as quickly as possible. And, the conflict should be resolved via a political round table in order to restore peace and stability for local people,” U Lay Kyaw Aung, chairperson of the Khami Literature and Culture Association, told the DMG.

The number of displaced people from skirmishes in Rakhine State has reached more than 30,000 and some of them are Khami people who are living in hillside areas.

“Khami IDPs are taking shelter in a camp in Kyauktaw Township. But, in other townships, they are taking shelter together with Arakan IDPs,” U Lay Kyaw Aung said.

More than 200 people including Kaman, Mro, Daingnet, Rakhine and other tribes in Rakhine State attended the ceremony where Minister for Chin Ethnic Affairs in Rakhine State Cabinet gave a presentation.

The ceremony is annually held on April 27 at different places Khami people are living. Organizers previously arranged to hold the event in Mrauk-U this year, but it was held in Sittwe because clashes broke out in Mrauk-U.

“Although armed conflicts occurred in Rakhine State, we held the ceremony as a tradition,” U Lay Kyaw Aung said.

Organizers said that the ceremony was held with the intention of building deeper friendship among Khami people who are living in different areas and providing help for each other.

The number of Khami people in Rakhine State is about 100,000 and they are living in Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung, Ann and Maungdaw Townships, according to the Khami Literature and Culture Association.