At least four downtown areas of  Pauk Taw citycaught fire on Sunday after the Burmese navypersonnel and artillery battalions fired shells several times.

"We saw, fire broke out in four places as the soldiers fired heavy weapons. Starting around 4:10 pm onSunday, they fired continuously fromthe Sittwe-based battalion every three or four minutes," said a
local woman, who fled her house.

On the night of 15 November, the Arakan Army members invaded and captured the Pauk Taw  policestation. Next day about 170 soldiers and policemen were sent by Shwe Pyitan speedboats and navy vessels to regain the control over Pauk Taw.

Since then, the junta forces have been battling against the AA members. There soldiers are also usingmilitary jet and helicopters to bombardthe city.

A former MP, who too fled Pauk Taw, said that about 30,000 people had already left  the town areas underPauk Taw. Now they are facing the foodshortage and will have to starve   in near future, he added.

The fire broke out in Pauk Taw on 23 November due to the heavy weapons firing by the navy and army battalions.

Nearly 70% of the urban areas, including the busy markets, were destroyed by the fire, informed anelder person.

“We assume 70% of our town areas have been destroyed. In a situation where two armed sides confront, thecommon people always suffer. The internationalcommunity should look into the matter seriously,” added the individual.

Currently, the UN as well as WFP, ICRC remain silent over the situation in Rakhine and it seems thoseorganisations are reluctant to savethe Rakhine people in particular.