Myanmar’s Military Asked to Ensure Rakhine IDP Safety
An IDP camp in Sittwe. / The Irrawaddy
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By Khine Rola 19 January 2021
Sittwe, Rakhine State The Rakhine State government has asked the Western Command of Myanmar’s military to ensure safety for returning internally displaced people (IDPs).
The state government counted the IDPs at camps last month to assist their return and the IDPs asked for their safety to be ensured.
“The Western Command will check which townships, wards and villages are safe to return. The IDPs will be able to return in safety. I had an informal talk with the commander about it. He said he would make the check when he is back from a trip. We have also sent a formal letter,” said Rakhine State’s military-appointed minister for security and border affairs, Colonel Min Than.
Lawmakers Push Myanmar Military to Clear Landmines for Rakhine IDP Safe Return A camp for displaced people in Ponnagyun Township. / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy
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By Min Aung Khine 14 January 2021
Sittwe, Rakhine State A proposal was submitted to the Rakhine State parliament on Tuesday, urging the state government to provide more effective assistance for the safe return and rehabilitation of internally displaced people (IDPs) in northern Rakhine State.
“I put forward the proposal because I think the government should start by now clearing landmines and other explosives and reconstruct homes. And arrangements should be made for them to grow paddy and crops ahead of the rainy season. Otherwise, it will impose a burden on the government,” Rathedaung Township lawmaker U Oo Than Naing, who submitted the proposal, told The Irrawaddy.
Fate of Villagers Abducted by Myanmar Military Still Unknown
Some of the detained villagers.
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By Min Aung Khine 8 January 2021
SITTWE, Rakhine State Relatives of 18 villagers abducted by Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) from Tinma Village in Kyauktaw Township of Rakhine State still do not have a clue about their whereabouts more than 300 days after they were taken from their homes.
Troops of the Tatmadaw’s Light Infantry Division No. 55 deployed on Taungshae Mountain near Tinma Village detained eight villagers from “new” Tinma Village on March 13 and 10 people from Tinmagyi Village on March 16, according to the detainees’ families.
Other residents fled their homes in the wake of the abductions. Three villagers who stayed behind to take care of village property also went missing, said residents.