With the Myanmar military restricting access to some townships in Arakan State, some villages are facing medical shortages, according to local residents experiencing health challenges.

At least seven people have died by suicide in Sittwe over the past five months, according to the Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation, a charity based in the Arakan State capital.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, a sacred pilgrimage site in Mon State’s Kyaikto Township that is also known as Golden Rock, remained closed on Thursday after civilians were killed in an attack the day prior on a junta security checkpoint at the base of the hill that hosts the pagoda.

Locals in Talai Taung Village in Arakan State’s Ann Township said dozens of residents including the village administrator have gone into hiding as junta soldiers are searching for them.

Myanmar’s military regime has seized nine boats moored near Min Chaung Bridge in Sittwe, and also detained nine people including some of the owners and helmsmen of those vessels.

Family members say they have not been allowed to meet an employee from the General Administration Department (GAD) and a construction company owner in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township who were recently arrested by the military.

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC), during a meeting with Arakan National Party (ANP) officials on Wednesday, warned the party to avoid making one-sided claims in issuing statements on the military situation and fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA).

A local man from Ayarshi Ward in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township was abducted by a group of people in civilian dress on the evening of October 11, according to family members of the man.

Myanmar’s military regime has filed a charge against the deputy head of the Minbya Township education office under Section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act for allegedly funding the Arakan Army (AA) with money that he is accused of deducting from the salaries of teachers.

Former State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to an additional three years in prison by a special court in the military-ruled nation on Wednesday, according to sources close to the court.

Fatalities were reported as Myanmar military soldiers and police raided a cockfight involving more than 100 people in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on October 7, subsequently filing charges against 18 detainees.

Myanmar’s military regime has transported four elephants including a so-called white elephant that was born in July from Arakan State’s Taungup to Yangon, according to witnesses.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) will meet with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) on Wednesday after it was summoned to Naypyidaw by the electoral body regarding a recent party statement condemning the regime’s fatal shellings of villages in Arakan State. 

The Myanmar military has arrested three men including a ferryboat owner and charged the trio under Section 19(b) of the National Drug Law for transporting medicines for Nga/Pa Thone cottage hospital in Arakan State’s Myebon Township, the accused told DMG. 

A Myanmar military contingent has detained four masons from Sanae town in Arakan State’s Ramree Township, family members told DMG.

The Myanmar military regime’s motor vehicle registration authority has begun issuing licences to about 100 motorbikes daily in the Arakan State capital Sittwe since September 28, according to U Kan Nyunt, director of the Road Transport Administration Department.

The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) will take punitive action against members of the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA), the armed wing of the ALP, who shot and beat two residents in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on Sunday, said a party official.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) and Arakan Front Party (AFP), two of Arakan State’s most popular and powerful political parties, have not yet begun preparing for controversial elections that Myanmar’s military regime plans to hold next year. 

Ten political prisoners serving prison terms in Tanintharyi Region’s Dawei were hit with additional, lengthy sentences on October 5, according to the Dawei Political Prisoners Network (DPPN).