Regime plans grand celebration for Arakan State Day in Sittwe

By Admin 10 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

10 November 2025, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has announced plans to mark the 51st anniversary of Arakan State Day on a grand scale in Sittwe on December 15.

The junta-controlled Ministry of Information reported that working committees have been formed for the event, with each committee preparing its respective tasks ahead of the celebration.

Ahead of Arakan State Day, Sittwe will host a range of activities including sports, essay and poetry competitions, youth dialogues, and entertainment programs. Awards for management, business, and social excellence will also be presented to individuals recognized for outstanding performance in their fields.

"This is what the military regime does - it is trying to appease the public in Sittwe by holding events," said an Arakanese man. "It is possible that these celebrations are also intended to win favour ahead of the elections. In reality, Arakan State Day under the military regime has no substance."

The junta-appointed Arakan State chief minister met with members of the public on November 8 to discuss preparations for the 51st Arakan State Day.

The regime also organized the Tazaungdaing Festival in Sittwe on November 4, featuring performances by well-known Arakanese singers U Maung Thein, Myat Khaing Kyaw, and Khaing Kyaw Lin.

"Since this is a regime-controlled area, they do whatever they want. The Arakanese people today are hoping for an independent Arakan State rather than one under military control. So, the military's Arakan State Day is not interesting," said a young man from Mrauk-U.

Arakan State Day is celebrated annually on December 15, commemorating the day the region was granted statehood under the 1974 Constitution drafted by the Burma Socialist Programme Party.

Meanwhile, fighting continues between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army on the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships. Civilians in Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Pauktaw townships are reportedly suffering casualties due to regime air and artillery attacks.

Residents say their livelihoods are also threatened as the military has blocked all routes in and out of Sittwe.