Several ward, village administrators resign in Rathedaung Twsp

By DMG 17 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 December 2022, Rathedaung

Nineteen ward and village administrators from the Kutaung area, located in the southern part of Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township, have reportedly tendered resignation letters to the township administrator’s office, saying they are facing difficulties in their work between the military and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

The ward and village administrators said they voluntarily quit on December 16 due to difficulties carrying out their duties as they find themselves caught between the two armed groups.

“The villagers seem to dislike us because we are the administrators appointed by the military regime. We voluntarily submitted our resignation letters on December 16 due to difficulties and crises in carrying out our duties amid heightened military tensions between the military and Arakan Army,” said a village administrator who did not wish to be named for security reasons.

Among the local leaders to tender their resignations on December 16 were the administrators of Kutaung, Shwelaungtin, Ugar, Zeekaing, Kyungyi, Naungpinle, Minkanchaung, Hsarpyingyi, Anaukpyin, Mingan and Thazi villages.

“We voluntarily tendered our resignation letters. Now we have nothing to do with that post,” said another village administrator.

As the ward and village administrators have submitted their resignation letters, residents living in the villages may face difficulties in matters related to travel, ID cards and going to work, said a resident of Kutaung Village.

“Some residents who will apply for a job and plan to go to other areas for work face difficulties in seeking recommendation letters because the administrators have resigned from their posts. Young people in the village face more difficulties. We don’t know what kind of difficulties will happen,” the Kutaung Village resident added.

“Ward and village administrators have to deal with both sides comfortably,” said U Pe Than, a veteran political analyst. “The ward and village administrators are worried about their safety because the military council accuses them of supporting the ULA/AA and opening cases against them. When the ward and village administrators resigned, the residents also suffered a lot. Ward and village administrators have to cooperate with the military council on local development projects, support for pregnant women, and medical issues, so the people may suffer.”

The regime arrested at least 10 ward and village administrators in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyaukphyu, and Minbya townships during hostilities between the military and AA. Some of the detained administrators have been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act.

More than 70 out of approximately 90 junta-appointed ward and village administrators in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township — where the military and Arakan Army fought some of their fiercest battles during the renewed fighting — tendered resignation letters in November.