Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in four camps in Buthidaung Township of Arakan State have rejected the offer made by the Arakan State Administration Council to help them go home on March 14, citing danger of landmines and the lack of safe passage guarantees.

U Oo Kyaw Win, an OIC (officer-in-charge) of the IDP camp in Buthidaung Township said: “The IDPs don’t dare go home as they are in danger of mine explosions, and the army has not withdrawn their temporary military camps there. If there is a fight between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw, we will be scapegoats. Our situation may get worse. We replied that we would go home only when the authorities are held accountable and accept responsibility for our safety.”

Officials from the Tatmadaw, Township Administration Council, and the Township General Administration Department and the Township Police Force visited four IDP camps in Buthidaung Township on March 14th

U Shwe Hla Aung, Chair of the Township Administration Council said: “Officials from Tatmadaw said soldiers are carrying out mine clearances near the villages. The deployment of troops near the villages is only for the security of villagers. The Tatmadaw would help them return home.”

U Win Maung, an officer-in-charge of Yanaungmyay IDP camp said: “The IDPs do want to go home. But we need to clear mines near villages. They find it difficult to go home as there is no guarantee for their daily existence. Help is needed to repair damaged houses. They are concerned about the deployment of troops near the village. That’s why they told officials they are not ready to go home.”

There are four IDPs camps in urban Buthidaung Township, where around 5,000 people are taking shelter. Most of the villagers are from Nwaryonetaung, Sangohtaung, Sparhtar, Uyintha and Kyaukyan villages in Buthidaung Township.