AA Advises Against Crowds During Thadingyut and Tazaungmone festivals in Arakan State

Kyaing Hein Lin, Narinjara News, 9 October 2024

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

The Arakanese people celebrate the Thadingyut and Kathina festivals every year, but this year they will not happen because of Bangladesh's political unrest.

The Arakan Army has issued an advisory for Thadingyut and Tazaungmone celebrations to stay away from gatherings and festivities, citing recent airstrikes by the junta in Arakan State as the cause of many civilian deaths.

Ma Myat Aye, an Arakanese woman, said that it is imperative to follow the ULA/AA's instructions because the junta forces are firing more artillery 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 Htaung Gyi Town. As a result, it is critical to use caution and stay away from congestion," she continued.

Loudspeakers are being used by ULA/AA officials in cities and villages all over Arakan State to inform the populace of the daily flagrant war crimes being committed by the military junta. It is recommended 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 military junta'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 that reads, "Do not observe the Sabbath at pagodas and temples during Thadingyut, avoid driving around with speakers, and refrain from crowding."

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

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

Data gathered by Narinjara News indicates that the junta's airstrikes in September caused 93 deaths and 138 injuries in Arakan State, including POWs.

This year's Thadingyut and Kathina festivals will not be held by the Arakanese people due to political unrest and violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The Thadingyut holiday is traditionally observed by the Arakanese community in Bangladesh by burning candles, releasing lanterns into the sky, floating candles on rivers, giving alms, and keeping the Sabbath.