Local people in Arakan State who depend heavily on forests for their livelihoods are being increasingly affected by the growing military tensions of late between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army (AA). 

With the recent resumption of palm oil imports from Indonesia, there is no need to worry about a shortage of the multi-use oil in Myanmar, according to U Myint Cho, chairman of the Edible Oil Import and Distribution Supervision Committee under the Myanmar junta’s Ministry of Commerce. 

The Brotherhood Alliance, a tripartite military coalition consisting of the Arakan Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), has pledged support for the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force amid the KNDF’s frequent clashes with Myanmar’s military regime in the country’s east. 

A submarine assumed to belong to the Myanmar military was spotted on Tuesday morning traversing the Thanzit River in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, locals told DMG, amid rising military tensions in the region. 

With the opening of Myanmar’s public schools set for June 1, health officials have been instructed to raise awareness about the coronavirus’s highly contagious Omicron variant at schools in Arakan State, said Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Department of Public Health. 

Many dogs have been stricken by an undiagnosed malady and died in Manaung Township, Arakan State, according to locals and an official from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.

An elderly woman from Yokethar village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township was killed in a landmine blast at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, according to local residents. 

Two 10-household heads from Paletwa Township’s Abaung Thar village who were detained after regime forces clashed with the Arakan Army (AA) on May 26 have been released, but an administrator arrested along with them is still being held, locals said. 

A fire broke out at Nyaungchaung bazaar in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township early Monday morning, destroying at least 25 shops. 

The Arakan State Fisheries Department has taken action against nine fishing trawlers that failed to install turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in their fishing nets.

The Arakan State Public Health Department plans to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to 386,000 children aged 5 and older across the state’s 17 townships, with a new academic year in Myanmar fast-approaching. 

A local man from Paletwa Township, Chin State, was severely injured in a landmine blast on Saturday [May 28] and was admitted to Sittwe General Hospital on May 29. 

Children are increasingly being infected with seasonal influenza in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kayah State, according to relief workers. 

The Sittwe Township Development Committee has threatened domestic animal owners with legal action if they do not take proper care of their animals.

The parents of local students are worried that a post-primary school in Myo Ywar village, Ponnagyun Township, is in danger of collapsing, and at best will not adequately weather the onsetting monsoon season. 

Farmers across the country, including in Arakan State, are finding it difficult to grow paddy due to the skyrocketing prices of both fertiliser and fuel this year. 

Some parts of the Maungdaw-Ale Thankyaw road in Maungdaw Township have been badly damaged due to heavy rains in Arakan State over recent days, making it difficult for commuters to travel, according to truck drivers. 

The Arakan State Public Health Department still aims for 100 percent coverage of a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine regimen in Arakan State, but many have refused to receive their second shot, according to the department’s assistant director, Dr. Soe Win Paing. 

Ko Tin Tun Aung, a resident of Paletwa, Chin State, who has been sentenced to three years in prison for incitement, will see an appeal that he has filed in the case go before a judge early next month, according to family members.