The Union Election Commission (UEC) appointed by Myanmar’s military regime has warned that it will take legal action against political parties that have yet to undergo its scrutiny ahead of a general election slated for 2023. 

Two Thandwe men facing charges under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law told a court on Wednesday that they had nothing to do with anti-regime fighters arrested last year in Ayeyawady Region, according to their lawyer. 

Some wards in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have reported medical waste being dumped at their garbage sites, according to the state’s resources minister, U Than Tun. 

The junta-appointed Arakan State election body has been checking voter lists against the population on the ground in townships across the state as Myanmar’s military regime plans to hold a redo general election next year.

Family members of a hotel staffer who was murdered in Arakan State’s Manaung Township last month have filed complaints with the crime department and police headquarters in Naypyidaw, expressing dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation.

Ko Tin Tun Aung, a local man from Paletwa Township, Chin State, who was detained by the Myanmar military and faces incitement charges, appeared before the township court on March 23, according to family members. 

A man from Pauk Inn village in Arakan State’s Taungup Township who was arrested earlier this month by the Myanmar military has been charged under two sections of the Gambling Law, according to local police.

Residents in six townships along the Arakan State coast were being evacuated Tuesday ahead of the arrival of a storm system bringing strong winds and heavy rain, according to the Arakan State military council.

A deep depression in the southeastern Bay of Bengal made landfall in Ayeyarwady Region on Tuesday morning, destroying homes and damaging pagodas in some townships, according to locals.

There is an urgent need for shelter due to strong winds and heavy rains near the Thaung Yin River on the Thai-Myanmar border, where internally displaced people (IDPs) are taking refuge, according to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG).

The Arakan State Administration Council will resume train service along the Pyidawtha-Yaychanpyin rail route on March 24, an official from Myanmar Railways’ Sittwe branch told DMG on condition of anonymity.

A growing chorus of voices in Arakan State say existing curfew orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure should be repealed in some townships as the state is currently stable.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) insists that loyalty to the party remains strong among its membership, after it recently reached out to its cadres to ask whether they intend to continue to serve under the ANP banner. 

Residents of Kyauktaung village in Mon State’s Thaton Township are worried that fighting between a coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Myanmar military could escalate after artillery shells fired by junta troops hit a pagoda festival.

Junta soldiers and police subjected passersby to inspection in Kyay Taw Ywama village, part of Arakan State’s Sittwe Township, on Sunday evening, according to locals.

Contradictory testimonies on the side of the prosecution in the case of a Thandwe man accused of incitement led Monday to the summoning of a local police official to sort out the discrepancy.

A deep depression is expected to make landfall along the coasts of the northern Andaman Sea and southeastern Bay of Bengal on March 23, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State have expressed concerns about the impacts of an impending cyclonic storm on their camps, after the Department of Meteorology (DMH) forecast strong winds and heavy rains as it is expected to make landfall on March 23.

A fire broke out in Ann town, Arakan State, on Sunday, destroying nine huts and nine homes in No. 3 ward and leaving about 90 people without shelter or food.