Displaced Arakan residents in Ayeyarwady suffer under junta restrictions

By Admin 09 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 December 2024, Mrauk-U

Among hundreds of thousands of people displaced by fighting between the military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, many have fled to AA-controlled areas, while around 100,000 have opted for townships in Ayeyarwady Region including Pathein, Ngathaingchaung, Yekyi, Kyonepyaw, Chaungtha and Thabaung.

But many internally displaced people (IDPs) from Arakan State who are now living in Ayeyarwady Region receive no assistance and are struggling to make ends meet. While jobs are scarce for them outside their homeland, the regime has imposed restrictions on at least one major potential source of livelihood: In early December, the regime barred displaced Arakan State residents, mainly from Gwa and Thandwe townships taking refuge in the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein, from fishing.

One woman from Gwa Town taking refuge in Ayeyarwady Region said: "The regime has banned displaced Arakan residents from fishing. The ban is only targeted at us, and not local people. We are struggling to survive."

In Gwa and Thandwe townships, fishing is the primary source of income for most, noted a man from Gwa Town.

"For all our life, we have only fished. So, after we arrived in Ayeyarwady, we spent our life's savings on fishing equipment. However, the military council has imposed a ban and we are helpless now. Some people have been forced to rely on charity."

Rural villagers in Gwa Township fled to villages in Ayeyarwady Region's Ngathainggyaung Township on December 5, but local village administrators denied their entry.

One Ngathaingchaung resident said: "Local administrators do not allow them to enter for fear that they will get into trouble if AA troops are among the displaced people requesting shelter. Some villages have, however, allowed them to stay in monasteries."

As the AA offensive approaches Gwa Town, the regime has increased security checkpoints and carried out raids along the border with Ayeyarwady Region.

The regime has also increased checks on houses for overnight guests in wards and villages where displaced Arakan State residents are taking refuge, making arbitrary arrests.

On November 16, the regime arrested five Gwa residents taking refuge in Saw Pyar Village, Yekyi Township, bordering the Arakan Mountains, accusing them of being AA members.

In August, the regime arrested over 30 residents from Thandwe Township taking shelter in Kyonpyaw Township during its checks on households for overnight guests.