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.

Kandawgyi Lake, a major source of water supply for the Arakan State capital Sittwe, is drying up as 2022 comes to a close, and the lake is expected to be functionally devoid of water during the coming hot season, according to local residents. Kandawgyi Lake consists of seven distinct bodies of water, and the collective supplying Sittwe has almost dried up.

A 16-year-old boy from Chan Village in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township was struck dead by lightning on Monday afternoon, according to family members.

Despite the latest ceasefire between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA), displaced people say they dare not return to their homes for the time being. 

Myanmar’s military regime has yet to lift travel restrictions on multiple roads and waterways despite its recently brokered ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA), according to local residents. 

Hundreds of civilians detained by the Myanmar military on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) amid renewed hostilities between the two sides remain in junta custody, AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha told a press briefing on Monday. 

Reports of violence against women and children have increased in Arakan State when compared with last year, according to legal aid organisations and women’s activist groups.

A local woman was killed and two others were injured by an artillery strike in Thanmoetaung Village, part of Kayin State’s Thandaunggyi Township, on November 26, according to residents.