As Thingyan approaches, Arakanese asked to curb their enthusiasm 

By DMG 31 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
31 March 2021, Sittwe 

An Arakan State-based civil society organisation has urged Arakanese people not to overindulge in Thingyan revelries amid the Myanmar military’s lethal crackdowns on anti-regime protesters across the country. 

Arakan Maung Hla aka U Aung Than Nu, chairman of the Maha Rakhita Association, said he is asking his fellow Arakanese people to curb their Buddhist New Year festivities because he wants to avoid perceptions that Arakanese are happy while the nation grieves the loss of hundreds of lives over the past two months at the hands of Myanmar security forces. 

Some 500 civilians, including dozens of children and young people, have been killed nationwide in security forces’ crackdowns since the military staged a coup on February 1. Meanwhile, clashes between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army have ceased since November, after two years of often deadly conflict. 

“I am requesting this of people because I don’t want people from other regions and states to think that Arakanese people are pleased and happy while others are wrapped up in misery,” U Aung Than Nu said. “Even if some people expressed their pleasure at the fighting in Arakan in the past, I would like to urge my fellow Arakanese people to show love and kindness at this time.” 

His association also distributed pamphlets at public places on Wednesday in the state capital Sittwe, asking people to avoid excessive merrymaking during Thingyan, such as playing loud music and the drive-by revelries that are modern-day staples of New Year’s festivities. 

Ko Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of the Rakhine Ethnics Congress, said the Maha Rakhita Association’s appeal was sensible. 

“We should not think like it is ‘our turn’ now and we will do the same because they just stood by when we were suffering. We must show sympathy for them so that we will have sympathy for one another. Some are already apologising for their mistakes now. We should not harbour grudges and act perversely at this time,” said Ko Zaw Zaw Tun. 

Full-scale annual festivities have not been held in Arakan for years, noted Sittwe resident Ko Nyi Khaing Thwee, who said it was understandable that local people would want to celebrate Thingyan while military tensions have eased in the region. 

“I don’t want to say not to make merry. But there are many ways they can enjoy themselves other than revealing themselves in cars,” he said. 

The Arakan State Administration Council told DMG that Thingyan would again only be celebrated on a limited scale in Arakan State this year.