The return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Arakan State is one of the top priorities of the new government, claimed Monywa Aung Shin, Secretary of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).
“It is included on the government’s priority list. The government provides necessary assistance to the IDPs, as much as it can. Likewise, the international organizations provide the IDPs with assistance” he added.
“We need to solve the political problem by political means. The war will drag on longer if the problem is not solved politically. Cooperation and coordination between the government, the Tatmadaw and the EAOs are required. The ceasefire is the first step. Then discussions need to be made for lasting peace after the ceasefire. We will achieve success if we can do it step by step,” Monywa Aung Shin said.
U Pe Than, lower house MP from Myaebon Township said: “It has been two years since fighting broke out between the AA and the Tatmadaw. There will be no more fighting if the Tatmadaw reaches a ceasefire with the AA. The IDPs will go home quickly once peace is achieved. The main point is to stop ongoing warfare.”
“U Maung Maung Soe, a political analyst said: “The return of IDPs will materialize only when the Tatmadaw reaches a ceasefire deal with the AA. The ongoing civil wars in the ethnic areas are due to the fact that the problems with the federal rights of ethnics remain unresolved. Both sides need to stop ongoing fighting in order to solve the problem”
Daw Nyo Aye, an IDP taking shelter at a monastery in Sittwe Township from Aungtharsi village in Yathaedaung Township said: “I have many expectations to go home. Every IDP has the dream of going back home when the peace is restored. I would like to call on the new government to make arrangements for the return of IDPs.”
In recent days, some IDPs have returned home thanks to the lull in fighting in Arakan State. But the majority of IDPs are still unable to go home.
According to the report by the Rakhine Ethnics Congress (REC), the number of IDPs during two years of war in Arakan State has exceeded 230,000.
