Tinma villagers ask government to clear landmines, rebuild homes ahead of return 

By DMG 03 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
3 September 2021, Kyauktaw 

A rehabilitation committee has called on the local government to clear landmines and rebuild the houses of the residents of Tinma village, Kyauktaw Township, so that they can safely return home. 

The Tinma Village Rehabilitation Committee on September 2 sent a letter to the chairman of the Arakan State Administration Council and the commander of the military’s Western Command asking them to help the villagers return next month. 

The Venerable U Wayamida, a patron of the village rehabilitation committee, said the letter was written in an attempt to prod authorities into action, without which a large-scale return of displaced villagers is unlikely. 

“There are no things left in the village. There are no more timber logs, bamboo or fences left in the village. The religious buildings and village monastery are covered with shrubs,” the monk added. 

At the request of the villagers, some displaced people currently living in an IDP camp will travel to Tinma village by motorboat next month and settle in at the village monastery to clear the brush that has covered much of the village since it was abandoned in March 2020. 

The letter also said the chairman of the Arakan State Administration Council and commander of the Western Command were asked to give necessary instructions regarding the villagers’ plan. 

An agreement was reached between the Arakan State Administration Council and the Tinma villagers on June 24 to ensure the safe return of those displaced, but the military council has been slow to implement the agreement, villagers have said. With only one month left until the planned relocation, the Arakan State military council has yet to carry out any demining work or other rehabilitation tasks in the village. 

“We have discussed with the Arakan State Administration Council that we will return to the village in October, but so far they have not responded to us. I don’t know exactly whether the Arakan State Administration Council has difficulties to return the displaced people or is worried about escalating tensions between the military and Arakan Army (AA). We are just looking forward to the day when we can return to the village,” said U Maung Tun Nyunt, a resident of Tinma village.