Arakan State News Summary (May 22-31, 2021)

The Tatmadaw regime announced on May 30 that it would suspend all military activities from June 1 to 30, “except the period when security and administrative machinery of the government in addition to State defence and administrative measures are attacked and encroached on,” as the junta prepares to reopen basic education schools on June 1.

Seven children have died from diarrhea in Pauk Taw (Muslim) village of Nagara village-tract in Minbya Township over the past five days, according to residents.

Residents of Pyar Kywein village in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, have demanded that the local bridge be repaired in a timely manner due to the collapse of its wooden beams.

Ma Khaing Phyu Win, a 10-year-old girl who is earning money for the family while pursuing her education, and Ma Su Hlaing Win aka Ma Su Chay, a 22-year-old woman from Kyauktaw town who is seeking justice in the death of her husband who was killed by unknown person, are received financial aid from donors after their stories were covered in DMG’s Weekly TV News programme.

No one was injured when two bombs exploded in Paletwa town, Chin State, around 7:30 a.m. on May 28, according to the township police station.

A two-day meeting of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) held on May 27 and 28 will result in the reconstitution of the Federal Constitution Drafting Working Group, which will be approved at the next meeting, according to concluding remarks by General Yawd Serk, the interim leader of the PPST.

Ah Maw village on Pan Tin Island, which is located about 13 nautical miles west of Taungup town, has been hard-hit by erosion and was divided into two parts by tidal currents on the night of May 26, according to local residents.

As the number of students has increased this academic year, Palay Yadana monastic school in Thandwe town, Arakan State, is in need of financial aid.

The Rammarwadi traditional rowing competition, which had been suspended for three years, is being held again this year in Arakan State’s Ramree Township, from May 27-30, according to the central organising committee.

Myanmar’s reputation globally has diminished as a result of the February 1 coup and subsequent actions taken by the military government, the head of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) said on May 27.

Although residents of Tin Ma village in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, submitted a letter to the Arakan State Administration Council for a second time seeking to be able to resettle in their home village, the council has not yet replied, according to the villagers.

On the first day of school enrolment for the 2021-22 academic year, there were 54,687 students enrolled in Arakan State, according to the State Education Officer’s office, which is housed under the auspices of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Basic Education.

Many temporary shelters at IDP camps in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, have been destroyed by Cyclone Yaas, which formed over the Bay of Bengal in recent days, according to IDP camp managers.

Five people were arrested in Manaung town, Arakan State, on May 24 for allegedly dealing fake gold at multiple local pawn shops, according to the Manaung Township police station.

Roads, bridges, electricity and government offices are being built in Laytaung town, Ramree Township, and infrastructure projects are being upgraded as in other towns, according to the town implementation committee.

Residents from Hsin Tat Maw village in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, say their retaining wall was damaged by strong winds on Tuesday morning.

The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) are increasing day by day in Loikaw and Dimawso townships of Kayah State due to fighting between military council forces and a People’s Defense Force (PDF) on May 20, and IDPs are facing difficulties for their living, according to residents.

Many temporary shelters at IDP camps in Arakan State have been made of bamboo and similarly flimsy timber, prompting concerns over the accommodation of the internally displaced people (IDPs) amid a wet and windy weather pattern in the region, according to IDP camp managers.