The Arakan Army (AA) wants the Western Command included in the extension of the Tatmadaw’s unilateral ceasefire declaration, the AA’s deputy chief Dr Nyo Twan Aung told media after the talks in Shan State’s Kengtung town on 17 September.

The Northern Alliance, the government and military representatives have reached an agreement to keep on discussing seven points in another round of talks in Keng Tung on 17 September.

The number of IDPs has increased in the IDP camp at the Shithaung monastery in Mrauk-U city this month so there’s insufficient amount of food and shelters, according to officials of the camp.

The Colourless Charity Group said the rice reserve scheme has been launched because of the growing concern for rice supplies because rice could not be grown in the conflict affected areas this year and a scarcity of rice might occur later if rice cannot be grown in the coming years.

Two monks and three people who have been charged under Counter-Terrorism Act have appeared in Sittwe district court on 17 September.

Headed by Arakanese youths, a discussion titled “Youth and Democracy” was hosted in Sittwe, capital of Arakan state on 15 September, on the occasion of International Day of Democracy.

U Min Kyi said that union government allocated a budget for 30 buildings in Thandwe Township for 2018-19 financial years. Some school buildings have cracks in the walls and some structures have leaks due to rain that has dripped through the ceiling one year after the completion of the construction.

Bomb blasts and gunfire near Letmaseik village in Ponnagyun Township on Monday drove as many as 800 villagers from their homes, according to local sources.

The Burma News International (BNI) held the 7th Ethnic Media Conference in Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina from 16 to 18 September with the intention to push for restoring justice using the driving force of ethnic media groups.

“If the Gen Aung San statue is forcibly developed regardless of fulfilling ethnic people’s political requirements, unwanted hatred would be generated between Chin and Bamar people,”

The Tatmadaw troop’s gunfire killed a man from Thabeik Taung (Muslim) village. U Abdul Kawrim, 45, was killed by a bullet wound, said U Einu, a local resident from Thabeik Taung village.

U Zaw Htay made the remark in the wake of two murders in Myebon Township’s Kin Htaung Gyi village on 9 September. The lawmakers said that two men were killed and their heads were decapitated due to the lack of the rule of law in the region.

During gunfire on Saturday night in Kyauktaw Township a villager was killed and five others were injured, according to local sources.

About 130 middle school students in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township are facing difficulties continuing their studies because their temporary school building has fallen into disrepair.

“We are focusing on these discussions because they are important. If the discussions aren’t good, it could lead to an unfortunate outcome,” U Zaw Htay said during a press conference held at the Presidential House on September 13.  

No human trafficking cases were reported in Arakan State during the period from early this year to September, said Police Major Win Ko Ko from the Arakan State Anti-Human Trafficking Police Force.

“I think that the number of battles has decreased to a certain extent. But the armed clashes continue as the Tatmadaw launches offensive campaigns against the Arakan Army. The conflicts will inevitably end if the Tatmadaw halts the offensives,”

Three middle school students were injured by a landmine explosion near a school in Kywe Yine (Na Ta La) village, Tinmay village-tract in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State.

“The military arrested him and tortured him for about 40 days. They gave him electric shocks and kicked him in his chest. That’s why he regurgitated blood,” U MaungThaung Aye said.