An interview with U Pe Than, former lower house MP from Myebon Township
October 26, 2022
The people in Arakan State have already known that the heavy shells fired by the military council landed on the villages in Arakan State, resulting in civilian casualties. U Pe Than, former lower house MP from Myebon Township, who is closely monitoring the Arakan affairs, clearly said: “Myanmar military council is firing artillery shells into the villages in an attempt to take a vengeance with grudge as the people are showing supports for the United League for Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA). The following is an interview with U Pe Than about the current situations in Arakan State.
Q: In recent days, the military council is firing heavy shells into the villages in Arakan State without any battles. The artillery shelling killed two sisters, children and teachers in Minbya, a Muslim woman in Kyauktaw and a Grade-7 female student in Rathaedaung. May I know your view on the military council’s targeted attacks on the villages and innocent people?
A: It becomes evident day by day and month by month as the military council is carrying out targeted attacks on the people in Arakan State. They (the military) treat the people as enemies. This is not an accident. This is not indiscriminate shooting. They fired heavy shells into the villages. They fire heavy shells into civilian villages rather than the AA’s camps. They don’t attack the AA. It is found that they are killing the people on purpose. The military council’s intentional ban on travel and transportation of rations and medicines aims to put the people in trouble. To sum up, they treat the public as the major enemy. It is found that the military is trying to destroy the Arakan State and put the people in big trouble.
Q: Yes. Arakan people are citizens of Myanmar. Why does the Myanmar army attack and kill the people by regarding them as enemies?
A: The main point is is firing artillery shells into the villages in an attempt to take a vengeance with grudge as the people are showing support for the ULA/AA. We will continue to experience this situation. The shooting did not miss the target. They directly shoot the target. They are committing brutal killings of the public. It aims that the public don’t dare to support the ULA/AA. It is aimed at enabling the people to think about the fact that they are in trouble due to the ULA/AA. This is a cunning, wicked and rude act. The Tatmadaw which is duty-bound to defend the people itself is killing the people every day. I want to say that these acts are totally undesirable.
Q: What will happen in the future as the military is carrying targeted killings of the public?
A: Every day we have to read the news on the internet about civilian casualties, the plights of the people and economic crisis. The military is carrying out attacks in non-conflict zones. The military council is doing it intentionally. Every day I have to read the news about civilian casualties. The military council has placed a ban on travel and transportation of rations. The junta is intentionally killing the people. The public will not embitter the ULA/AA as they think. The public will provide more support for the ULA/AA. They (Myanmar army) will be embittered by the public. These acts are impractical. The military’s record will not be good. This is a step towards committing genocide. It amounts to committing a big crime in terms of politics. In practice, the people don’t dare to support the ULA/AA as the army is killing the people. The public will make more and more cooperation with the ULA/AA.
Q: To what extent is the current battle between the AA and the military council wide?
A: We have to read the news on the internet. The AA is capturing border camps. Now the AA has captured a lot of border camps. However, the army is trying to defend its camps by deploying its troops. The army’s offensive has shifted to defensive. The AA has launched an offensive. The army based in towns and villages is using the people as human shields. The AA does not attack villages and towns. The AA does it at the mercy of the public. However, this situation will not prolong. The people will be in trouble when there are big battles in the future. I think the AA will create decisive battles. The army will make all-out efforts to defend it and take the public as hostages. I think the AA does it at the mercy of the public. It will be a certain period of time. I think the ULA/AA will try to overcome the deadlock situation.
Q: The military council is collecting the list of census in the villages. The news emerges that the election will be held. Do you think that the plan to hold the election will materialize?
A: It is not important in terms of politics. The military council plans to hold the election as an exit. However, Our Arakan people are not interested in the election. It is impossible in practice. In practice, the ULA/AA will not allow the Bamar government to build its administrative mechanism. For Arakan state, the people are not interested in the election. It is not in a position to solve the political crisis. We have to ask for our rights. It cannot help the Arakan people to liberate. It cannot overcome the current crises and military crises. So, the military council plans to hold the election as a political exit. The Arakan people will not pay attention to it and interested in it.
Sent by Khaing Lu Hla (Yomamyay)