Junta evicts hundreds of households in Sittwe Twsp

By Admin 16 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 September 2024, Sittwe

Hundreds of junta soldiers and police last week arrived in Shwepyitha Ward on the outskirts of Sittwe and at Kyaytaw Village and forcibly evicted residents from the areas.

"We have been forced to relocate since one week ago. Junta soldiers and police arrived in our neighbourhood yesterday and told us to relocate. They did not explain to us where to relocate or why," said a resident of Shwepyitha Ward.

Hundreds of local people in Kyaytaw Village have been fleeing to safer locations since early this year due to the junta's penchant for making arbitrary arrests. Shwepyitha Ward is home to about 1,500 people from around 300 households.

The evictees are currently sheltering at monasteries and relatives' homes in Sittwe. There are reports that the regime is planning to build new military outposts in Shwepyitha Ward and Kyaytaw Village.

"Shwepyitha Ward is an entrance to Sittwe. The regime reportedly plans to set up new military camps here. We need accommodation to take refuge at the monastery in the long run because we didn't bring anything from our home," said another resident of Shwepyitha Ward.

Shwepyitha Ward and Kyaytaw Village are located near the Sat Yoe Kya Bridge, one of the main entrances to Sittwe. The two locations are also close to Byaing Phyu Village, where dozens of locals were massacred by junta soldiers in late May.

Junta troops have occupied 14 Arakanese villages in Sittwe Township after forcing villagers there to move to Sittwe Town in June of this year.

Fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) began in Sittwe Township at the end of August, and the regime has beefed up security in the Arakan State capital since then.