Regime’s recent village visits put uneasy peace at risk: Arakanese politicians

By DMG 18 Mar 2022

DMG Newsrooms
18 March 2022, Ramree

Myanmar’s military regime has recently sent its troops to some parts of southern Arakan State, in what observers say appears to be an attempt to contain the growing influence of the Arakan Army (AA).

Junta personnel visited the No. 4 ward in Lay Taung town, Ramree Township, on Monday, asking a local administrator if any ward resident has had contact with the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), according to a ward resident who asked for anonymity.

“They did not ask residents. They asked the 100-household administrator if any resident has ties with the ULA, and if the ULA levies taxes in the ward. The administrator said he himself is part of the ULA. They didn’t ask other questions,” said the resident.

Some 70 junta soldiers and police reportedly arrived in Lay Taung on March 13 and stayed overnight at a monastery in No. 4 ward.

One administrator from another ward said: “They asked about the ward population, number of households and students, and if there is anyone who has recently moved into the ward. They didn’t ask me about the AA. I don’t know if they asked other [local administrators about the AA/ULA].”

It has been more than a year since Myanmar’s military and the AA reached an unofficial ceasefire in Arakan State.

In the months since, the ULA has been building up a separate administration in Arakan State consisting of its own judiciary, revenue department, public security offices and other traditional governing institutions that now run parallel to the junta’s administrative apparatus.

Such regime activities could jeopardise the uneasy peace that Arakan State has enjoyed since October 2020, after two years of intense fighting, said Arakanese politician U Pe Than.

“I think the regime is doing so to show that they still have control over the territory. But I am concerned that their actions may lead to military confrontation,” said U Pe Than.

Around 40 junta soldiers arrived at Kun Taung village in Ponnagyun Township on March 4 and stayed for five days, according to local residents.

“Junta vehicles dropped them off. They stayed at the railway station, and went around the village. They didn’t ask villagers questions. They cooked for themselves,” a villager said on condition of anonymity.

The movements of regime personnel have raised concerns among local people as there is regular speculation about whether, when and where fighting between the two sides might flare anew.

Former Arakan State lawmaker U Poe San from Kyaukphyu Township said the regime should not do anything that could negatively impact regional stability.

“It should not engage in activities that are deemed restricting to ordinary citizens,” he said.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from the regime-appointed Arakan State security and border affairs minister, Colonel Kyaw Thura, about the junta’s inspections of villages in the state’s south.