October 5th, 2022
The military-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has summoned the Arakan National Party (ANP) about its statement over the military situation in Arakan State including the strong condemnation of civilian deaths, injuries and the destruction of houses, according to officials of the ANP.
“Due to the current armed conflicts in Arakan State, innocent civilians, children and women were killed and seriously injured. Houses were destroyed. Our party issued a statement about it to avoid similar incidents. On October 4th, the UEC invited the officials of the ANP to the UEC office to hold discussion on October 12th,” said U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the ANP’s policy affairs leading committee.
This came after the ANP issued a statement on September 29th, earnestly requesting armed organizations to avoid fighting in wards and villages in Arakan State and strongly condemning Myanmar army’s heavy shells which resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian houses.
The ANP also called for lifting of travel ban on the INGOs and NGOs and saw the blockages of roads and waterways in some townships including the conflict-affected areas and non-conflict areas as a threat to the survival of all ethnics, according to the ANP’s statement.
Currently, the ANP will hold a meeting whether it will meet the UEC or not, the ANP officials said.
“Our party released the statement based on the truth and the facts and information available from the media and the public. I don’t exactly know why the UEC wants to meet us. The UEC’s invitation letter doesn’t describe the reason,” he added.
Fighting has resumed between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.
Heavy shelling killed six civilians and injured 25 others in late August and September, according to the data collected by the DMG.
On September 16th, the military council imposed a travel ban on the INGOs/NGOs which are providing rations and humanitarian aid in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Minbya, MraukU and Myebon Townships citing security concerns.
Since August, renewed fighting displaced nearly 9,000 locals, according to the UNOCHA’s report on September 28th.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)