Rakhine people lack confidence in military council's peace-building process as soldiers enter many villages

Narinjara News, 11 February 2023

Even though the military council agreed on an informal ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA), the government forces continue entering some villages and hence the Rakhine people still lack confidence in the peace-building process.

Recently, a group of soldiers arrived in some villages under Taungup township of Rakhine State and probed many people suspecting their involvement with the ULA.

Some soldiers are still inside Kalaroang, Karai and Pan Htaw villages under the township and they have been are asking the residents about their association with the United League of Arakan
(the political wing of AA), informed a reliable source.

"The army personnel entered into the villages and started asking the people on the road about the ULA's trial in their courts. They also questioned many people who are facing the relevant court cases. Even they documented the names of concerned individuals,” added the source.

ULA once set up several courts of justice in various Rakhine townships. Many civil judges were also engaged in those courts.

"The court programs were administered by the ULA/AA. They tried to replace the authority of military council administration. So the military council has been investigating about the matter. However, there has been no arrest in those villages,” stated the source.

It is understood that each convoy, comprising over 20 military council soldiers, entered those villages separately and they are still camping there.

Some soldiers also entered the ULA court in Kalawang village and took many photographs.

"If the military personnel continue engaging in such activities, the ceasefire with the AA might break down. If they resume gunfighting, the people will suffer again. So I believe that the military personnel should avoid such actions and work hard for maintaining the peace with a long-term ceasefire,” said another villager.

He added, as the military council has been supporting the informal ceasefire with the AA, they should avoid supplying weapons to the army camps and battalions across Rakhine State. Otherwise, the peace initiative will collapse in the coming days, asserted the villager.