The state-level military junta is moving ahead with plans to hold limited festivities for the upcoming Thingyan holiday, after celebrations were cancelled the previous two years due to the pandemic and conflict between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army.

Local residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township and travellers have called for the removal of a COVID-19 checkpoint near Kyauk Talone Pagoda, claiming that automobiles and motorbikes have been subjected to inspections irrelevant to pandemic measures.

A total of 663 temporary shelters were reduced to ash when a fire broke out at the Tin Nyo camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township on Wednesday evening, according to camp managers, with the blaze affecting 2,565 people.

The weaving industry in Arakan State is facing difficulties as raw materials cannot be ordered and demand for fabrics is down, tradespeople told DMG.

Long known as refuges and places of opportunity for underprivileged children from the countryside, Sittwe’s numerous monastic schools have been hard put to continue to feed and educate young people amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Some Arakanese migrant workers in Yangon are facing financial hurdles as they seek to return to Arakan State amid the political upheaval of recent weeks in the commercial capital, according to Yangon-based social organisations helping Arakanese migrants.

Pre-trial proceedings continued for ousted Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu at the Sittwe Township Court on March 17, with the defendant again appearing remotely via teleconference. 

Arakan State Happenings From March 1-15

A cattle disease has broken out at some villages in Manaung Township, Arakan State, with cow deaths reported since early March, according to residents.

Two of the three charges filed against 22 residents of Lekka village in Mrauk-U Township over their alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA) have been heard by the local court, according to defence lawyers of the accused.

A camp providing shelter to more than 300 internally displaced people (IDPs) at Agnu Maw in Myebon Township, Arakan State, is in urgent need of food supplies and kitchenware, according to volunteers.

Relatives of detainees charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law over alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA) are expecting the release of the accused as Myanmar’s military regime has removed the Arakanese rebel group from its list of terrorist groups. 

The 10 ethnic armed organisations that are signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) are going to discuss, General Yawd Serk said at a Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) meeting on March 12.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) said it would cooperate with Myanmar’s coup leaders if it is allowed to take the helm of Arakan State’s affairs, as one of the country’s most formidable ethnic political parties seeks to further clarify its relationship with the military regime. 

A women’s group’s pro-democracy campaign in Arakan State under the motto “Our Htamein [sarong], Our Flag, Our victory” to mark International Women’s Day on March 8 at Ngapali Beach has drawn both support and criticism. 

According to a decision of the second conference of the Arakan National Party held in 2019, the ANP allowed Dr. Aye Maung to resign from the party, Policy Affairs Steering Committee member U Pe Than told DMG. 

A memorial service for those killed in fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army was held at Naypukhan camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, on March 11. 

Three members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Arakan State’s Taungup Township including former state lawmaker U Min Aung have submitted to a court that they would prefer to appear in-person to testify, instead of video conferencing, due to telecommunications problems. 

With drug users allegedly congregating around Kandawgyi — the main water supply lake for the Arakan State capital Sittwe — nearby residents are worried about their security, the latter said.