Myanmar’s military regime reopened the waterway linking Arakan State’s Kyauktaw and Chin State’s Paletwa on Saturday, with some restrictions still in place, after a months-long blockade that raised prices and caused various other hardships for local residents. 

People with disabilities called for greater legal protections and economic opportunity on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls annually on December 3. 

Myanmar’s military regime reopened the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to local residents, a week after the junta and Arakan Army (AA) reached an informal ceasefire bringing an end, for now, to months of renewed hostilities in the region.

Two landmine casualties were reported over the span of two days in a pair of northern Arakan State townships as the remnants of war continue to affect civilian lives despite a recently reached ceasefire between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA).  

Local residents in southern Arakan State’s Gwa Township have criticised the Myanmar military for building a new helipad at the township football pitch despite the fact that there are already other helipads in the town.

Myanmar’s military regime has not yet lifted its travel ban on local and international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in Arakan State despite the latest ceasefire reached between junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA).

A married woman in her 40s from Ngapathone Village, part of Arakan State’s Myebon Township, was reportedly raped and killed on November 28, according to local residents. 

Two varieties of pepper — Moe Htaung and Kyauksein — were grown on a trial basis in Arakan State’s Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Pauktaw townships, and a 75 percent success rate was recorded, according to growers.

The border trade with Bangladesh through Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township still can’t operate as normal despite the latest ceasefire between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA), according to border traders in Maungdaw.

Though the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) agreed to observe an informal ceasefire nearly a week ago, major roadways and water routes in Arakan State remain blockaded by the regime.

A Muslim man from Ywama Village, Kyetyoepyin Village-tract, in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, is receiving medical treatment at Maungdaw District Hospital after being shot, according to family members.

Family members are worried about the well-being of three people who were detained at security checkpoints in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships last month, as they have not been in contact with the trio for weeks. 

The Myanmar military and the AA have observed an informal ceasefire since November 26, U Khaing Thukha said that day. U Khaing Thukha also said that the ceasefire was reached with serious consideration for the people of Arakan State.

The Arakan Army (AA) and local business owners have stressed the importance of self-sufficiency to avoid food shortages and high food prices.

Sittwe electricity authorities have warned that local residents will have to bear costs of repair in case of the theft of electric cables in their wards. Local residents have criticised the order.

Government employees in Ponnagyun Township did not receive their November salaries on Wednesday, November 30, as the regime continues to blockade the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road despite the recent ceasefire agreement.

A bomb exploded at the home of a ward administrator in Ward-3, Pala town in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region, at about 5:30 p.m. on November 29.

At least 46 people were arrested on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and/or incitement charges under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code during four months of heightened military tensions between the military and AA in Arakan State.

Dozens of undocumented Muslims from Arakan State were reportedly arrested by authorities in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region, on Monday.