Some Sittwe University students face difficulties returning home due to military’s travel restrictions

By DMG 21 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
21 October 2022, Sittwe

Correspondent students from various townships attending Sittwe University have said they are worried that they might not be able to return home after their exams as Myanmar’s military regime has tightened travel restrictions in northern Arakan State.

The Shwe Pyi Tan ferry boat service, which operates an extensive network of sea transport options in Arakan State, has been forced to halt its operations linking Sittwe to outlying destinations including Minbya, Mrauk-U, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships since September 15.

On October 19, Shwe Pyi Tan was also told to suspend its Sittwe-Pauktaw operations until further notice.

The concerned correspondent students said they could not take the exam with peace of mind and were worried about how to return home.

During the recent economic turmoil, they came to Sittwe to attend university, but they are worried that they will be stranded in Sittwe and it will become difficult for them to live because the military junta has ordered ferryboat services to halt operations, said Ma Mrat Noe Oo, a correspondent student from Phadu Village, Pauktaw Township.

“We are worried that we will be stuck in Sittwe due to the military’s closure of roads. It is not easy to stay in Sittwe and we will face livelihood hardships. We live in a rented room in Sittwe and we will be in trouble in the long run,” she told DMG.

Ma Su Su Khin, a correspondent student from Byainethail Village in Pauktaw Township, said that since the cost of living and food in Sittwe, as well as the prices of other goods, are rising, it is impossible for students from other townships to live in the Arakan State capital for a long time.

“We are facing financial difficulties due to the regime’s closure of water routes. All correspondent students from various townships attending Sittwe University are facing financial problems. I still don’t know how long I will be in Sittwe. The cost of living and food is going up in Sittwe. I also want to return home. I want the regime to reopen the water routes,” she said.

Ko Min Ko Aung, vice chairman No. 1 of the Arakan Students’ Union, told DMG that they are monitoring what the relevant authorities will do to help the students return home after their exams.

“For now, we are monitoring to see what the university authorities will do for the students. Since the university is open during the fighting, we will monitor how the university authorities will facilitate the students’ commute so that there is no difficulty,” he said. “As a student union, we have plans to meet with the rector. If the students have any difficulties, we will discuss directly with university officials and try to make the best possible solution.”

U Kyaw Naing Oo, head of the Academic Affairs Department at Sittwe University, told DMG that there is currently no discussion with the Arakan State military council for the safe return of correspondent students.

“The university authorities and the rector will make arrangements for the students to return home conveniently. We are currently monitoring the situation these days. If we have a situation before the end of the exam, we have to report it through the rector. We will arrange for the students to return home smoothly,” he added.

Many correspondent students from northern Arakan State attend Sittwe University and some students are currently taking exams that will end on October 26.