The Arakan National Party (ANP) urged the Arakan State Government to immediately cooperate with the Union Government to stop the fighting in Arakan State in a statement made on 23 April.
ANP Deputy Chairperson Daw Aye Nu Sein said to Narinjara News: “Every government promotes national reconciliation, stability and the rule of law. National reconciliation is impossible due to the wars in Arakan State. Innocent civilians have been suffering. There is no security, even in a big city like Sittwe where there are rumours of people being forced to work as porters. This is happening because there is no rule of law.
“Also who will take responsibility for the innocent civilians who have fled from the mountains and rural villages? It is chiefly the State Government’s responsibility. That is why we have released the announcement, to demand that the government solve [the issue]. In order to stop the fighting immediately they need to solve this immediately.”
In their announcement the ANP also urged the government to take full responsibility for: preventing innocent villagers from being used as hostages or porters; preventing the relocation of existing villages; protecting innocent civilians lives and livelihoods; and protecting refugees from the fighting.
They also called on government to allow organisations to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees.
When Narinjara News contacted the Arakan State Chief Minister, U Nyi Pu on 23 April someone who claimed to be his personal assistant said that U Nyi Pu had not yet read the ANP statement and that he would not be able to comment on it until the next day.
The Burma Army and the Arakan Army have been fighting each other in the area of the Lawyama Mountains between Kyauktaw Township and Rathedaung Township in Arakan State since 16 April.
Both sides have suffered high casualties and thousands of residents from Buthidaung Township, Rathedaung Township, and Kyauktaw Township have fled their homes, according to groups providing relief aid.
ANP MPs said that in the upcoming parliamentary sessions the party will send official submissions to the Arakan State Parliament and the Union State Parliament calling for a halt to fighting in Arakan State and calling on the parliaments to ensure there is regional peace and stability.
ANP Statement
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
