U Aung Mra Kyaw, an Arakan state lawmaker from Sittwe Township, says the project for homeless Buddhist refugees is being implemented at Sat Ro Kya area near the so called economic zone which is located at either side of Sittwe where Sat Ro Kyaw creek flows.

“Many construction companies are now constructing 669 homes in the sat Ro Kya area to be filled by the refugees. The project will be completed within two months between February and March . It is a part of a government rehabilitation plan for homeless people who are now sheltering in refugee camps and monasteries,” he said.

The authority has not allowed the refugees to rehabilitate in their previous homes in Sittwe which were burned down during the violence.

“I totally supported the government plan preferring the area of outskirts for the refugees than the previous areas. The former area is crowded and jumbled. It is also a plan of the government to extend the area of Sittwe to the outside of town,” he said.

The authority is also preparing to construction of a concrete bridge over Sat Ro Kya creek to communicate between  the downtown of Sittwe and the area of Sat Ro Kya.

U Aung Mra Kyaw says that the Arakan state government already allocated a budget for the bridge construction and will construct the bridge very soon.

According to official sources, the cost of a home constructed by the government is 4 million kyat which is reportedly proved by foreign governments and international INGOs.

The sectarian violence which took place in June has left over 10000 families numbering around 70, 000 people homeless in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan state.

It is the first step arranged by the Arakan state government for homeless refugee’s rehabilitation seven months after sectarian violence that took place Arakan state in June 2012.

“ I think Arakan’s state government will implement another rehabilitation plan for Muslim refugees within the year. It is the first step for Arakanese Buddhist refugees and the next step will follow soon,” said U Aung Mra Kyaw.