The Arakan National Party (ANP) released an opinion statement regarding the renewed fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Military Council in Rakhine State. Four main points were mentioned in the statement.
Those points are -
1. Earnestly request the armed organizations not to garrison and take cover in the neighborhoods and villages in Rakhine State during conflicts.
2. Strongly condemn and protest the civilian casualties and damages of properties due to artillery shells fired by the Myanmar Military.
3. Call for the withdrawal of the ban on NGOs, INGOs and CSOs, those providing humanitarian support.
4. Some townships, including the war zone and non-war related areas, were closed by land, road and the blockade of the waterways shall be considered a threat to the livelihood of the local people in the area.
U Tha Tun Hla, the chairman of the party said “civilians had been killed and injured as the fighting resumed and intensified. Public buildings and houses were damaged or destroyed. Transport routes for medicine, food, and other goods had been cut off due to the blockade of roads and waterways. In some townships, the people were in much trouble. The number of people fleeing the war had increased by the tens of thousands. That’s why we decided to make the statement”.
The announcement dated September 29 had denounced and protested the civilian casualties and damages of properties due to artillery shells fired by the Myanmar Military. It also called on armed organizations not to garrison and take cover in the neighborhoods and villages in Rakhine State during conflicts.
Livelihood of the local people in some areas were jeopardized due to the Military Council’s blockade of roads and waterways, U Tha Tun Hla also suggested.
“Livelihood of the public and commuting to work were all affected. Travelling for health issues also faced difficulties”, he said.
The announcement called to let the NGOs, INGOs and CSOs to restart providing humanitarian aid, currently operations of those organizations were banned. It also pointed out the blockade of the waterways could jeopardize the livelihood of the local people.
