Arakan State News Summary (September 8-15, 2021)

By DMG 15 Sep 2021

8 September 

• The domestic gold price in Myanmar surged as the National Unity Government (NUG) declared a “people’s defensive war” against the country’s military regime, hitting a record high of nearly K1.8 million per tical of 24K gold.
• Local people in Paletwa Township, Chin State, reported facing various difficulties as they are being restricted from leaving their homes after 11 a.m. due to Covid-19 regulations.
• The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) welcomed a proposal from Erywan Yusof, ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, for a four-month ceasefire by all sides to allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the country. 
• Five ex-ministers for Arakan State charged under the Anti-Corruption Law, including the detained former Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, appeared via video link for a court hearing in the state capital Sittwe.
• The Smart garment factory in Sittwe, which employs more than 100 people, has been closed for almost a year due to a lack of orders from the government. 

9 September 

• The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) announced that it would seek the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including those detained after the military coup, and that the issue of political differences be resolved as soon as possible.
• People in Arakan State paying respects on Sayadaw U Ottama Day said they would continue to push the government to designate an official public holiday for the independence hero, and would not quit until their demand is met.
• The Sittwe District Court released four Arakanese youths who were detained for two years under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law.
• A spokesman for the United League of Arakan and Arakan Army (ULA/AA) condemned the military’s recent meeting with some Muslim administrators in Arakan State, during which Tatmadaw officials instructed the local leaders not to accept the ULA/AA’s administrative outreach.
• Memorial wreaths were removed not long after they were laid in front of an U Ottama statue in Ann town during Sayadwa U Ottama Day, marking the 82nd anniversary of his death.
• Sixteen Arakanese residents arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) and facing long potential prison sentences under the Counter-Terrorism Law were released, according to family members.
• Actor Nay Toe, aka Ko Nay Lin Aung, donated food to slow-moving drivers in Tamwe Township, Yangon Region, to celebrate his 40th birthday.
• Residents and pilgrims say there is an urgent need to curb drug use and couples’ dates inside the ancient Arakanese pagoda complex in Mrauk-U.
• Four Arakanese youths said they had faced many difficulties over the course of their two years behind bars while standing trial on charges under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. 
• A poetry recitation, an impromptu contest, and a Q&A session were held in Sittwe in honour of Sayadaw U Ottama Day. 

10 September 

• The political prisoners association (Arakan State) was disbanded due to the deaths and imprisonment of its members, according to officials. 
• Businesspeople say the recent rise in the value of the US dollar could push up the prices of imports and other commodities.
• Thirty-eight people in Arakan State were arrested for failing to comply with coronavirus-related regulations amid the pandemic’s ongoing third wave, according to data compiled by DMG.
• Though property values in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have surged in recent years, few people are buying in a real estate market that has been described as pricing out would-be buyers.
• A 200-acre mangrove forest in Ann Township was named “Asia Nay Wun Sayadaw U Ottama Reserved Mangrove Forest” in honour of the 82nd anniversary of the death of U Ottama, which was observed on September 9.
• The Arakan National Party (ANP), along with three other parties in Myanmar and more than 100 political parties from across Southeast Asia and South Asia, attended an online forum hosted by the Chinese Communist Party.
• A doctor was assigned to work temporarily at Lay Taung rural station hospital in Ramree Township after the facility went two months without a doctor.
• The Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation, a charitable organisation based in Sittwe, set up a dedicated women’s welfare group for female patients. 

11 September 

• A campaign to vaccinate internally displaced people (IDPs) against Covid-19 in Arakan State concluded in Ann and Pauktaw townships, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.
• Gold prices in Myanmar continued to rise, reaching K1,920,000 per tical, according to gold shop owners.
• A temporary bus stop has been set up near the old bus terminal for short-distance buses from Sittwe to other townships in Arakan State.
• Thingaha Kanlat Rakhita, a local charity in Gwa Township, donated food supplies to 1,400 households that are struggling to make ends meet amid the third wave of coronavirus.   

12 September 

• A species unique to the state it is named after, the Arakan mountain tortoise is facing extinction within the next five years due to illegal poaching, according to a turtle conservation group.
• If the Maungdaw border trade camp is not reopened, it will have a long-term impact on businesses, border trade stakeholders said.
• The Arakan State Disabled People’s Association will compile a list of people with disabilities in seven of the state’s townships: Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Pauktaw and Myebon.
• A celebration commemorating Sayadaw U Ottama Day was held in Tokyo, Japan, by the Rakhine National Democratic Party (Japan) at Minamiotsuka Hall. 

13 September 

• DMG reported that teachers of ethnic literature in Arakan State have not been paid their wages for July and August.
• U Hla Thein, the attorney general for the Arakan State Administration Council, said the local government would begin monitoring private media in Arakan State.
• The Silver Heart Animals Rescue Sittwe said it is planning to open a kennel in Sittwe to feed stray dogs.
• Stimulant tablets worth K360 million were seized in Maungdaw Township.
• U Hla Thein, spokesman for the Arakan State Administration Council, said border trade camps closed during the third wave of Covid-19 in Arakan State could be reopened later this month.
• About 3,000 people in Arakan State missed their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.
• Vitamin D3 is being given to 50,000 people in Thandwe, Gwa and Rathedaung townships. 

14 September 

• With oxygen plants being built with the assistance of donors in several Arakan State townships, two of the facilities were reportedly set to begin operating soon.
• Rice is being transported from Arakan State to Samee town in Chin State’s Paletwa Township, which is facing food shortages due to roadblocks, according to locals.
• More than 10 highway bus lines in Arakan State have suspended operations during the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, said U Chan Aye, chairperson of the Motor Vehicles Supervisory Committee in Sittwe.
• The Covid-19 positivity rate in Arakan State has fallen to 12%, but people must continue to adhere to virus preventive regulations as new infections remain a daily occurrence, according to Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the state’s Department of Public Health.
• Sixteen people who were charged in Mrauk-U under the Counter-Terrorism Law on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) were released.
• People over the age of 55 were made eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Arakan State.  

15 September 

• According to the Myanmar Turtle Conservation Society, sellers of tortoises and turtle eggs, which are legally protected in Arakan State, could face up to seven years in prison.
• High-yielding Indian seed paddy has been undergoing testing in Apaukwa village, Kyauktaw Township, and Tin Htein Kan village in Mrauk-U Township, since June.
• Ko Si Thu Aung, who opened a school in Arakan State claiming to have a doctorate from Harvard University, was arrested by the Arakan Army, Dr. Nyo Tun Aung, deputy chief of the ethnic armed group, wrote on his social media page.