Regime forces thousands of Sittwe Twsp villagers to relocate

By Admin 10 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 June 2024, Sittwe

Thousands of residents from five villages in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, have reportedly been forced to relocate by Myanmar’s military regime.

All residents from Palinpyin, Aungtaing, Ohnyayphaw, Kyattawpyin and Yaychanpyin villages in Sittwe Township have been instructed to leave their homes by June 14. The directive was issued by the township administrator.

“All residents are not allowed to move to other areas except Sittwe. We were not told where to stay in Sittwe. We should go where we are comfortable,” said a resident of Aungtaing Village.

Local people in Sittwe have been fleeing to safer locations following the Arakkha Army (AA) seizure of neighbouring Pauktaw, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships earlier this year.

With only a few days until the deadline to relocate, the villages are now empty but for those who face financial difficulties and some elderly people.

“Most residents make a living as daily wage workers. The monsoon season is approaching now. Where should we relocate? And how to earn a living?” said a resident of Yaychanpyin Village.

The military regime’s coerced movement of rural populations, and its insistence that they relocate to the Arakan State capital’s urban environs, has some believing that these local residents could be used as human shields in the event that armed conflict breaks out in the city.

“The regime thinks that if the AA attacks Sittwe, they can enter and attack the Arakan State capital through these routes [the five villages], so there is no need for people in these villages. This is the reason why the regime does not allow locals to live in these villages,” said a military and political analyst.

DMG was unable to contact U Hla Thein, spokesman for the Arakan State military council, and an official from the Sittwe Township General Administration Department, regarding the matter.