A Regional Development office was opened today early morning for the forthcoming election to mobilize the Arakanese Rohingya community in Maungdaw, said a local elder.

The inaugural ceremony was held by Abdul Munaf, former teacher, and a resident of block number 2, near the State Middle School, number 1, the elder said.

Over 2000 people participated including Arakanese Rohingya, religious leaders, intellectuals, students and ordinary people.

U Phone Swe opened the office and delivered the inaugural speech, said a student who attended the ceremony.

U Phone Swe said the Regional Development office will work for the development of the Arakanese Rohingya people. “You will be able to cast votes and contest the election.”

U Phone Swe, who led a delegation of 33 Arakanese Rohingya from Rangoon, arrived on May 16 to open the Regional Development office and to campaign for the forthcoming election among the Rohingya community in Northern Arakan, the student said.

Twenty two Arakanese Rohingya from Maungdaw and 11 Arakanese Rohingya from Buthidaung were in delegation with U Phone Swe from Rangoon, the student added.