ULA / AA warns of no more sectarian conflict in northern Rakhine

 

• Zaw Win Hlaing

May 16 In 2020, Rakhine State; Fire scene in Lakka village, Mrauk-U township (Previous photo)

 

The Arakanese Armed Forces (AA) has issued a statement urging the public to be wary of any incidents that have led to sectarian violence in some townships in northern Rakhine State since the beginning of this month. Similar incidents have taken place in some Rakhine villages close to Muslim villages, as well as in other Muslim villages. Zaw Win Hlaing reports on the situation.

The paddy was burned. Some schools are on fire. The Rakhine National League (ULA) said in a statement on December 17 that it considered the incidents to be a deliberate attempt to create sectarian violence in the region, citing some racial incidents. AA urges Rakhine residents to be vigilant for community security and stability. The ULA / AA statement did not say which organization was responsible for the incident, but said it was "coincidental".

Today, two Muslims in Kanda Village, Pho Khaung Chaung Tract, Buthidaung Township lost their harvested paddy fields to fire, locals said. Buthidaung Township Administrator Kyan Aye said they were investigating the fire.

"We also heard that there was a fire," he said. Not many. I heard it was about two or three hundred bundles. Authorities are investigating. How did it happen? We are investigating what caused the fire. Yes. "

In addition, cows belonging to a farmer in Mucha village, Mrauk-U Township were stabbed yesterday. The owner, Maung Kyaing, said his cows may have been hacked and that someone may have come here on purpose.

"We saw cows being slaughtered in the yard," he said. Five cows were slaughtered. I don't think anyone has a problem with our house. There are no arguments with others. I think it was done out of jealousy. ”

In addition, starting from December 9, Kyaukphyu, Mrauk-U In Buthidaung and Gwa townships, paddy was burnt. According to the Arakanese Armed Forces (AA), a series of incidents in which a school was set on fire in Gwa Township in addition to stabbing cows. Pe Than, a Rakhine political expert, said the series of incidents appeared to be deliberately creating problems between ethnic groups.

"This is something we have to be careful about in advance," he said. The ULA / AA recently issued a statement. Whether it is coincidental or intentional, it can lead to conflict between nations. This has happened many times before, and now it is not for personal gain. It is true that they cut the legs of oxen, burned the grain, and burned the harvesters. The purpose is to resolve a conflict by one person or group. Is an organization trying? All such suspicions have arisen. ”

Pe Than said people living in Rakhine State need to be careful not to see such incidents as a crime and to avoid racial tensions.

"Not everyone is imaginative," he said. Ordinarily, this is what the Rakhine do. This is what Muslims are doing. Probably. But we need to keep it from becoming a conflict. Crime; In the sense of crime. After the ULA / AA statement, we should not be complacent about this. It would be best if we could be careful. I want to say that all the people of Rakhine State need to be aware of this and be careful. ”

In Rakhine State, ethnic clashes erupted between Rakhine and Muslims in 2012, and in 2017, instability erupted in Rakhine State following the violent attacks on border guard posts. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh as part of a crackdown by Burmese security forces, and Burma has come under international criticism. Then, during the NLD government, heavy fighting broke out between the Arakanese-based AA and the Burmese Army, causing instability in Rakhine State. Currently, there is a ceasefire between the AA and the Burmese Army, which is currently stable in Rakhine State.