Taungup Twsp residents form neighbourhood watch groups amid rising crime

By Admin 22 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 February 2023, Taungup

Residents of Taungup Township, Arakan State, have formed neighbourhood watch groups in response to a crime wave in the township.

Local people have set up sentry posts in wards in the town and some villages, where residents remain throughout the night to guard their neighbourhoods following a surge in thefts, robberies and muggings, according to community elder U Pe Thar Che of Hmo Hin Taw Village.

“It has been around a week since we formed neighbourhood watch groups,” he said. “We have seen fewer strangers since. Previously, villagers dared not sleep at night. They are a little relieved now. We watch throughout the night, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and patrol every half an hour.”

“There have been muggings and thefts every day,” said Ko Kyaw Ke of Thinbaw Seik Ward. “So, we want to improve security. Residents guard the ward alternately, and we have required residents to report to the watch group if they are coming in or going out of the village.”

Ten men guard the ward every night, he added.

The rise in crime began last month, according to Taungup Township residents, who said that with some cases of robberies and muggings being fatal, a panic set in among locals.

On February 14, four unknown assailants stabbed a man near Yan Khaw Village and made off with his motorbike. Two days later, an unidentified man stole gold and 2 million kyats from a house in Nat Maw Village, and also stabbed a 20-year-old woman at the house.

The crime wave is being fueled by unemployment and financial hardships, according to a social activist from Taungup.

“As people have trouble earning a living, some have resorted to stealing and mugging,” explained the social activist. “There could be more crimes driven by hunger. There is no rule of law, and the region is not stable. So, crimes have increased. People have reported to authorities about it. But there was no response.”

At the time of reporting, DMG was unable to obtain comment from the Taungup Township General Administration Department and police station on what remedial measures are being taken to curb criminality in the area.

Locals in other Arakan State townships have also reported increased rates of crime.