Youths in Arakan State have been collecting donations for the victims of a large fire in Thantlang town, Chin State, that was set by the Myanmar military late last month.

The Arakanese youths collected donations along Sittwe’s Strand Road on October 31, and at the Arakan State capital’s Myoma Market on November 2, said Ko Thet Zin, the leader of the fundraising group.

“I read the news on social media that houses in Thantlang had been set on fire. These incidents are similar to previous incidents in which villages were set ablaze in Arakan State. Thantlang Township is an area bordering Arakan State, so we are collecting donations to help the people affected by the fire,” he told DMG.

He added that donations would continue to be collected in crowded places in Sittwe.

Donations are also being collected in Arakan State’s Rathedaung town for the fire victims in Thantlang Township.

“We will collect donations in crowded places in Sittwe. We are also collecting donations online. We also joined hands with some philanthropists in Rathedaung to collect donations for fire victims in Thantlang,” Ko Thet Zin explained.

More than 160 houses and two churches in Thantlang town were reduced to ashes by artillery shells fired by the Myanmar military on October 29, according to locals. The Myanmar military has denied the allegations.

The shelling destroyed houses on Bogyoke Road in downtown Thantlang, where most of the town’s shops are located, locals said.

“I had to flee for my life, so I did not have time to bring anything. All the things I had been trying to collect all my life are now on fire,” said a 50-year-old man living in downtown Thantlang.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance, made up of ethnic Kokang (MNDAA), Ta’ang (TNLA) and Rakhine (ULA/AA) armed groups, on November 1 strongly condemned the military siege of Thantlang.

Many residents have fled the town for safer locations.