Young people lament opportunities lost due to junta blockades in Arakan State

By Admin 26 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 October 2024, Sittwe

Young people in Arakan State complain that they have lost opportunities to study or work abroad due to the Myanmar junta's ongoing blockades.

The regime has imposed blockades of roads and waterways into and out of Arakan State since the latest fighting between its forces and the Arakkha Army (AA) broke out in November of last year.

A young man from Pauktaw Township won an environmental scholarship in November to study in China, but could not leave Arakan State due to the junta's travel restrictions.

"I tried very hard to win the scholarship. The fighting broke out after I won the scholarship. The military council imposed blockades, and my hopes were shattered," he said.

One charity worker from Myebon Township told DMG he was unable to attend a humanitarian workshop in Thailand last year.

"I have lost many opportunities due to the blockades. I planned to leave for Yangon from Sittwe by air, but I could not get to Sittwe," he said.

The regime has blockaded the Arakan State capital Sittwe since the latest fighting broke out on November 13, 2023. People can no longer apply for passports at the passport office branch in Sittwe.

Young people from townships controlled by the AA say they face numerous hurdles to get to Yangon, apply for a passport and leave Myanmar legally.

One man from Minbya Township said: "I went to Yangon a few months ago. There were tight checks on the road. We sneaked to Kyaukphyu. We had to exercise considerable caution along the way from Kyaukphyu to Yangon."

The regime has imposed tight checks on the roads and waterways linking Kyaukphyu with other towns including Myanmar's commercial capital and biggest city, Yangon. Kyaukphyu remains under the control of the regime.

Driven by poverty and scarcity of jobs, many young people leave Arakan State annually for foreign countries to search for better living conditions and livelihood prospects. Their top destinations include Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.

Arakan State residents have been suffering from livelihood hardships as the regime has cut off Arakan State from other parts of the country, leading to unemployment, goods shortages and price hikes while hampering or halting business activity.