Students currently sitting for matriculation exams are also finding their mettle, courage and focus put to the test in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw townships, where gunfire rang out, artillery shells exploded and several more civilian casualties were tallied over recent days in the war-torn region.

Twenty-two civilians sustained gunshot wounds after a military truck hit a remote landmine near Tinnyo village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, according to residents, with one local official describing a subsequent reprisal on March 13 involving a hail of indiscriminate gunfire.

Three civilians were killed and five others were injured when gunfire erupted in Thazi village, Kyauktaw Township, at about 1 p.m. on March 13, according to residents.

Dozens of cattle have gone missing in Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township in recent years, according to residents, who say law enforcement has been slow to act on what they suspect is livestock theft.

Fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) that broke out on March 11 near Phat Kya village in Ponnagyun Township has prompted more than 600 residents from Phat Kya to flee to nearby villages, residents said.

The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) has increased by more than 2,000 in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, due to fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA), State Hluttaw member U Maung Maung told DMG.

A teenage boy and a woman living in Latwel Sardike village, Ponnagyun Township, were hit and injured by stray artillery shells as fighting flared near the village on March 11, locals said.

A total of 4,022 students in Arakan State were absent from the first day of matriculation exams on March 11, the Department of Myanmar Examinations said. That absentee rate of nearly 8.2% was nearly 2 percentage points higher than the national average, with education administrators citing conflict-related challenges as among the drivers of the attendance shortfall.

Two boys stepped on a landmine near Arkar Taung (Muslim) village in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, on March 10, killing one and injuring the other, residents said.

An artillery shell landed in Aung Thar Yar village, Kyauktaw Township, on the evening of March 10, killing a woman and injuring seven others, residents said.

The Arakan Army has taken captive as many as 30 military personnel including a commanding officer, captains and soldiers of other ranks, the AA said in a statement.

The Technological University in Sittwe, Arakan State, held its annual Water Festival on March 10, with the pre-Thingyan celebration offering a welcome contrast to the conflict that has dominated regional headlines in recent months.

A demonstration against hate speech organized by the Colorful Women Organization was held at the beach in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on March 10. 

Two men detained by the Tatmadaw over the weekend in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township were released at about 9 a.m. on March 10.

One woman was killed and a man was injured when gunfire showered Long Shay village, Kyauktaw Township, on the morning of March 10, village administrator U Aung Mya Kyaw told DMG.

Buthidaung Township MP U Maung Kyaw Zan said he was targeted in the complaint because he told Reuters of how residents in Buthidaung Township’s Kin Taung (Muslim) village were killed by an artillery shell blast on January 25.

With intensifying conflict south of Chin State’s Paletwa Township in recent weeks, residents are reporting an increase in commodity prices of up to fourfold as supply lines face disruption.

Fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) on March 8 near Mont Thanpyin village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, forcing more than 300 residents to flee their homes, local administrator U Sein Kyaw said.

The families of two men who were detained on March 8 near Khaung Tote village in Kyauktaw Township are concerned as they have not received any information about the pair since they were taken into custody.