Over 1,000 residents stuck in Maungdaw

By Admin 13 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 May 2024, Maungdaw

Tens of thousands of local people in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, were displaced by ongoing military tensions and conflict, but over 1,000 residents have reportedly been stranded in downtown Maungdaw.

Junta soldiers and members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) are stationed in downtown Maungdaw, tightening security checks on local people attempting to flee at entries and exits of the town, residents said.

“Local people want to flee to safer locations due to the possibility of fighting in downtown Maungdaw. They will be trapped in Maungdaw if fighting breaks out. In an attempt to prevent local people from fleeing, the regime has blocked all exit routes,” said a resident in Maungdaw.

Most local people left Maungdaw before the fierce fighting, but more than 1,000 people have reportedly been stuck in Maungdaw for various reasons.

“It is very difficult for us to get out of Maungdaw. Junta soldiers open fire on people attempting to flee, or arrest them. We must say that we were lucky to be able to get out of Maungdaw despite the difficulties,” said an evacuee.

Local people trapped by the military tensions in Maungdaw are reportedly facing livelihood hardships due to food shortages and skyrocketing commodity prices.

One sack of rice has soared to over K200,000 and residents of Maungdaw warn that a bad situation could still get worse.

“There is no security guarantee for us in downtown Maungdaw. We can’t buy food even if we have money. We have to save on food due to commodity shortages,” said a Maungdaw resident.

The AA is stepping up attacks on the junta’s BGF battalions and military camps to control the entire Maungdaw region, with the regime using artillery and warplanes to defend against the AA onslaught.