Kyaing Hein Lin, Narinjara News, 9 October 2024

Arakan State residents have been advised by theUnited League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) to stay away from swarming duringthe approaching Thadingyut (Full-moon Day) and Tazaungmone celebrations.

The Arakanese people celebrate the Thadingyutand Kathina festivals every year, but this year they will not happen because ofBangladesh's political unrest.

The Arakan Army has issued an advisory forThadingyut and Tazaungmone celebrations to stay away from gatherings andfestivities, citing recent airstrikes by the junta in Arakan State as the causeof many civilian deaths.

Ma Myat Aye, an Arakanese woman, said that it is imperativeto follow the ULA/AA's instructions because the junta forces are firing moreartillery shells and carrying out airstrikes on civilian dwellings. 

"It needs to be treated carefully.Recently, people keeping the Sabbath have been hurt by airstrikes in Kan HtaungGyi Town. As a result, it is critical to use caution and stay away fromcongestion," she continued.

Loudspeakers are being used by ULA/AA officialsin cities and villages all over Arakan State to inform the populace of thedaily flagrant war crimes being committed by the military junta. It isrecommended that locals avoid crowds as much as possible.

In towns and villages across Arakan State,ULA/AA authorities are using loudspeakers to alert locals about the militaryjunta's flagrant war crimes, which are being committed on a daily basis.Residents are being advised to stay away from crowds as much as possible.

Among the many recommendations is one thatreads, "Do not observe the Sabbath at pagodas and temples duringThadingyut, avoid driving around with speakers, and refrain from crowding."

There have been civilian casualties as a resultof the junta's recent bombings against residential areas in Arakan State.Thirteen persons, including a child and five women, were killed by juntatroops' airstrikes in Tan Lwe Ywar Ma Town in Taungup Township on the eveningof October 7.

Similar to this, the junta forces have beenconducting airstrikes in the past few days in several locations, such as Wah Boand Min Hla villages in Sittwe Township, Pan Ni Lar and Myaung Gyi villages inPonnagyun Township, Kha Yae Myaing village in southern Maungdaw, Kan Htaung GyiTown in Myebon Township, and Kin Taung village in Taungup Township. Theseairstrikes have resulted in the deaths of about twelve civilians.

Data gathered by Narinjara News indicates thatthe junta's airstrikes in September caused 93 deaths and 138 injuries in ArakanState, including POWs.

This year's Thadingyut and Kathina festivalswill not be held by the Arakanese people due to political unrest and violenceagainst minorities in Bangladesh.

The Thadingyut holiday is traditionallyobserved by the Arakanese community in Bangladesh by burning candles, releasinglanterns into the sky, floating candles on rivers, giving alms, and keeping theSabbath.