Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News,6 October 2024

Thousands of internally displacedpersons (IDPs), who sought refuge in the urban areas of Ann township in ArakanState, are now facing significant hardships in their livelihoods as they facelack of assistance from any sources.

Mentionable is thatthousands of Arakanese and Chin people fled to Ann  from nearby villagesnamely Kyauk Sa Kwe, Mel Taung Chey, Mee Laung Chaung, etc due to the ongoingclashes between the junta soldiers and Arakan Army (AA) fighters near Mel Taungand Kyauk Sa Kwe villages since 26 September.

A woman refugee informedNarinjara News that many people are staying in the monasteries and churches aswell as on Myo Thit and U Ottama hills.

"There are difficultiesin making a living because they have been displaced from their places. There isno one to help them," added the lady.

While the exact number ofIDPs fleeing from each village is not reported, estimates suggest their numbermay go above one thousand.

A local social activiststated that the junta soldiers belonging to the Ann-based  373rd lightinfantry battalion transported the IDPs to urban areas with military vehicles,but no assistance was provided.

"Some IDPs fled to theAA controlled areas. The remaining villagers, who did not escape, were takenaway by the junta soldiers under the pretense of being rescued from the AAoffensive. In reality, they fled because the junta conducted airstrikes andshelled their villages. When they arrived in  town, they were not providedany assistance," added the activist.

A female resident of Annsaid that around 60 IDPs, who sought refuge in the urban areas in recent days,were arrested from the  military checkpoints set up by the 373rd battalionand they are yet to be released.

"They were arrested onsuspicion only. I haven't heard of anyone being released yet. The 373rdbattalion detained them at Kant Kaw Ta Htaung pagoda," added the lady.

The residents also reportedan exchange of shelling between the junta forces and AA fighters in Annlocality where some shells landed inside the western command base.

The ongoing fighting leftmany residents worried, prompting them to flee towards mainland Myanmar.