An independent journalists’ group comprising more than 180 reporters throughout Myanmar has called on President U Win Myint to address some of the challenges faced by the nation’s press corps.

Since the National League for Democracy government took office four years ago, the right to freedom of expression has been most significantly violated in Arakan State when compared with Myanmar’s other states and regions, according to the free speech advocacy group Athan. 

Fighting occurred between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and a Border Guard Force contingent on May 2 along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, injuring two policemen, according to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief.

A Border Guard Force member was injured by gunfire near Done Pike village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on May 2, according to local sources.

The mobile internet ban has been lifted in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, one of nine townships in western Myanmar that have gone without online access for nearly 11 months.

A shipment of some 1,000 bags of rice from the World Food Programme (WFP) has made its way to Chin State’s Paletwa Township by boat after vehicles carrying the humanitarian aid provisions were attacked last week. 

A total of 257 Arakanese migrant workers employed in the Myanmar-China border region returned to Arakan State on May 1 after undergoing a 21-day quarantine in the town of Silu, Shan State, according to the workers.

An explosion occurred along the Angumaw-Maungdaw road in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, on April 30, killing a local betel quid seller, said U Maung Kyan, the administrator of U Daung village.

Hundreds of residents of Kyanyokan village in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, fled their homes on May 1 amid a hail of artillery shells and small arms fire, according to locals.

April proved to be another bloody month in Arakan State as at least 32 civilians were killed and 68 were injured, according to DMG’s on-the-ground reporting, with conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army continuing to upend lives. 

Locals are demanding that the government cut the proverbial ribbon on a newly constructed bridge connecting Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships as soon as possible.

Dwellings in poor condition at camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State are being repaired with donated cash as the rainy season draws nearer, according to those assisting the displaced.

The President’s Office has announced the formation of a committee to investigate the deadly attack on a World Health Organization (WHO) vehicle last week in Minbya Township, Arakan State. 

The Maungdaw District General Administration Department this week auctioned off 167 cows and three motorboats that were seized from illegal trade to Bangladesh through Maungdaw Township in northern Arakan State.

Sittwe is reporting shortages as trucks transporting commodities have been unable to reach the city, with the supply chain disrupted by clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army along the highway used to get the goods to market.  

A local resident was wounded by a landmine blast in the mountains about a mile outside of Thar Si Gone village in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on April 29, according to family members.

A 14-year-old girl was struck by a stray bullet as gunfire was reported in Nat Taung village, Ponnagyun Township, at about noon on April 29, according to the victim’s family members. 

Commodities destined for Sittwe will be sent via a new shipping route as trucks transporting goods have been unable to reach the Arakan State capital since the end of the Thingyan holiday due to hostilities in neighbouring Minbya Township, according to the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 

The Tatmadaw has accused the Arakan Army (AA) of detaining a police officer from the force based in Mrauk-U, Arakan State, on the morning of April 26.