Myanmar’s military regime is pushing internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State to return to their homes, but those uprooted say they dare not do so for the time being.

Seven ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) will hold talks with Myanmr’s military junta on amending the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. 

Ko Zeyar Kyaw, a resident of Taungup, Arakan State, who had been detained by the military for more than a month, was released on December 23, according to sources close to his family. 

The Arakan Army (AA) is monitoring junta troop movements closely, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha told DMG, saying the regime is taking advantage of the lull in fighting to reinforce its positions in Arakan State, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha told DMG.

Family members said they had not been in contact with a social activist from Arakan State’s Taungup Township since his arrest by the military on November 8. Ko Zeyar Kyaw, 47, was arrested by four junta soldiers in a civilian vehicle near Taungup’s U Ottama Park and had not been seen or heard from since.

The well-known Arakanese composer Ko Doe Maung died on Thursday night, according to family members. He was 77.

Myanmar will start exporting 160,000 tonnes of rice to Bangladesh this month, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).

Faced with water shortages annually during the hot season, local residents in Arakan State’s Minbya have called on authorities to supply water from all three reservoirs in the town.

Heavy weapons and small arms fire were reported along the Myanmar-Bangladeshi border in the northern part of Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, at around 5 a.m. on Friday, according to locals.

Farmers suffering from the impacts of military conflict, displacement, climate change and high prices for inputs like fertiliser and fuel this year are struggling to repay their agricultural loans.

Myanmar’s military regime is selling foods and consumer goods to the public in some townships including Sittwe, Ann, Taungup and Gwa townships in Arakan State, but few locals are buying from the regime, according to residents.

A factory manufacturing coconut derivatives in Arakan State’s Manaung Township is suffering from a shortage of its most critical raw material: coconuts.

Some 180 internally displaced people (IDPs) taking shelter at a camp in Kanhtaunggyi town, Myebon Township, Arakan State, have been forced to make beds out of tarpaulin sheets and sleep on the ground, according to camp officials.

Locals are facing difficulties as junta soldiers at a security checkpoint near Kyauktalone Pagoda in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, are conducting lengthy examinations of emergency patients whose health and often lives are on the line.

Hundreds of vehicles were trapped along the Asia Highway linking Kawkareik and the border town of Myawaddy in Kayin (Karen) State after a bridge near Taw Naw Natural Waterfall was damaged by an explosion, according to locals and truck drivers.

Junta troops stationed near the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image and pagoda in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township let loose a burst of gunfire on Tuesday night despite the military’s ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA), panicking local people.

A dried fish manufacturing collective in Chaungwa Village, part of Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, that uses solar energy to dry fish is struggling due to lack of market, according to villagers.

Myanmar’s military regime will conduct a population census starting January 9 of next year in townships across Arakan State in order to facilitate the compiling of voter lists, according to the Arakan State Administration Council (ASAC).

The bodies of two Muslim men who were trampled to death by a wild elephant were found near Ngakyitauk Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, according to locals.