An interview with a local woman from Taungup, about the situation in Taungup and difficulties locals face.
Taungup, a district town in Arakan State, hosts two junta battalions and the No. 5 Military Operations Command (MOC-5).
Currently the military council governs Taungup town while Arakha Army (AA) controls all the villages. Although there has been no fighting in Taungup, tensions are running high between the two armed forces, as the AA has blocked access to the town.
The military council is indiscriminately shelling villages where they believe Arakan Army (AA) members are located, driven by concerns that the AA might target MOC-5, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-544, and LIB-346. Consequently, civilian casualties have been rising.
Between August and the first week of October this year, the military council’s aerial bombing has killed 11 civilians and injured more than 26 others in Taungup.
In a statement on 1 August, the AA said it will attack and capture Taungup. Additionally, the town has experienced frequent phone and internet blackouts.
On 22 October, Narinjara conducted a phone interview with a local woman from Taungup to discuss the situation when communication was available.
Q: Tharliswa, what is the current sitaution in Taungup?
A: Yes, aside from the fact that people in the downtown area are stranded, the situation remains relatively calm. However, it’s hard to assess the conditions in rural areas due to difficulties in communication. While the downtown residents are not comfortable, they are accustomed to facing challenges.
Q: Can residents travel from downtown area to other places?
A: No, residents can’t freely travel from the downtown area. Some people have attempted to leave town using their own means. In the first week of this month, many people submitted requests to the management department to travel to the mainland by ship. However, the trip was canceled after over 700 people registered. The junta has imposed travel restrictions, leaving residents unable to go anywhere and forcing them to endure the situation.
Q: How are you managing your daily living and coping with your health currently?
A: The hospital has just two staff members: Dr. Hay Man Oo, a female doctor, and a nurse. It’s been a long time since the arthroscopy and obstetrics specialists left for the mainland. We are fortunate to have this female doctor, who handles both childbirth and surgeries. However, pregnant women and children are not receiving adequate nutrition. We have not seen any fruits or vegetables. They are suffering from malnutrition, and elderly patients are not getting the proper treatment they need. We are unable to travel to the mainland.
Q: Do you currently feel safe in Taungup?
A: People have to stay vigilant. There are bombings in the rural areas where our family and relatives live, and we are worried about their safety. We cannot predict when fighting might break out in the town, and there’s nowhere to flee. Communication is difficult due to phone and internet blackouts, making it worse. We have no idea what is happening there. We don’t know what is happening there.
Q: What is the significant condition in Taungup?
A: There were not many checks last month. However, electricity bill collections have stopped for the past two months due to the recent increase in rates. I’ve heard rumors that electricity may be cut off, and I’m concerned about this because it is crucial for us.
Q: Are people in the town managing well in their daily lives?
A: Grassroots people are facing challenges. Some must carry bags of goods through forest routes, while others take on daily-paid jobs. Although there is no shortage of goods, rising prices are making life harder for these communities. They are dealing with various difficulties.
Sent by Narinjara
