Myanmar’s military regime has cut off mobile data, the main source of internet access for millions of people in Arakan State, in some of the state’s townships since February 12, according to local people.

The rail bridge between Moatpalin and Sutpanu villages in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, was destroyed by the detonation of explosives planted by anti-regime forces on February 11, disrupting train services from Yangon to Mawlamyine, Ye and Dawei.

Forty-six people charged with having illegal ties to the Arakan Army, including several Lekka villagers long detained and on trial for alleged AA affiliations, had their cases withdrawn and were released from multiple prisons on February 12 in a junta gesture marking Myanmar’s Union Day. 

The United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army, attended the 75th Diamond Jubilee Union Day ceremony held on February 12 in Naypyidaw.

An ongoing curfew order under Section 144 of the code of criminal procedure, imposed in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, has been extended for another two months from February 12.

The Covid-19 infection rate in Mon State has shown a significant uptick over the first 10 days of this month, according to local charity groups.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) will not attend this year’s Union Day celebrations on February 12, but the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) ethnic armed group will send representatives to the event. 

Arrangements are being made to form a micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) association in Arakan State and invite entrepreneurs to join the alliance, according to U Soe Win Naing, vice chairman of the MSME Association Rakhine Implementation Committee. 

Surprise checks will be conducted in Arakan State to prevent the sale of chicken sausages that do not have FDA certification, according to Dr. Naing Naing Lin, assistant director of Arakan State’s Food and Drug Administration.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) who are temporarily taking shelter within the bounds of the ancient city of Mrauk-U are an obstacle for attempts to list it as a World Heritage Site, according to officials from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.

Some ethnic armed organisations say they have not yet decided whether or not to engage in peace talks offered by Myanmar’s military regime. 

The Myanmar military has deployed additional soldiers in Thandaunggyi Township, Kayin State, since February 9, residents said.

Ko Tin Tun Aung, a local man from Paletwa Township, Chin State, who was detained by the Myanmar military and is facing incitement charges, appeared before the township court on Thursday, and the plaintiff and prosecution witnesses were reportedly examined by the court.

Scores of civil servants working under the Myanmar junta have reportedly left Papun, a town in Kayin State, after Brigade 5 of the Karen National Union (KNU) issued a letter instructing them to depart.

The body of a local man killed in a landmine explosion was found on February 10 near Thalu Chaung village in Minbya Township, where the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) previously fought during their 2018-20 conflict. 

Verdicts in the cases of more than 20 Lekka villagers in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, who have been detained for nearly three years on suspicion of Arakan Army (AA) affiliation, were delayed this week for the 13th time, with family members demanding that a court ruling be handed down as soon as possible.

Four defence witnesses were examined during a hearing on February 9 in the terrorism trial of five local residents of Kyaukseik village and its vicinity in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township. 

Nearly 50 Muslims, most of them women believed to be from Arakan State, were arrested on February 8 by police in Yangon Region’s Kyauktan Township, witnesses said.

Arakan civil society organisations and locals are urging armed combatants to refrain from using civilians as human shields during wartime, as concerns grow over the prospect of conflict reigniting in northern Arakan State for the first time in more than a year.