CNI News
28 Oct 2022
Forcing internally displaced persons in Buthidaung in Rakhine State to return home under deteriorating security conditions will put their lives into danger, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.
He added that some of the IDPs had no house to live in while armed clashes could resume at any time in Rakhine State.
He told the CNI, “There are no houses left in some villages because all of them were destroyed during armed conflicts. Authorities are forcing them to return home without any assistance to rebuild their houses and to restart their livelihoods. And villages are not safe. Armed conflicts can escalate again in Rakhine State. So, forcing them to return home amounts to putting their lives into danger. There is no conducive environment for them to return home.”
The entrance to Buthidaung. (Cape Diamond)
Authorities told in-charges of IDP camps to return home by 31st October.
The CNI contacted Rakhine State Attorney General U Hla Thein, a spokesperson for Rakhine State Administration Council, for comments but he did not answer the phone.
Authorities have not instructed IDPs in Maruk-U to return home and it is also impossible for them to do so under the current circumstances, In-charge U Nyi Pu of Sinbawgaing IDP camp told the CNI.
He told the CNI, “We haven’t received any instructions. It is impossible to return home at present because tensions have escalated. IDPs are worried about returning home.”
A road junction in Rakhine State.
IDPs have lost their cattle for farming and forcing them to return home reveals lack of humanitarian considerations.
He said, “If there is fighting, IDPs cannot return home. It is important that there is no fighting in their areas. And there is unexploded ammunition left during armed clashes in their areas. It is very dangerous for them. Moreover, they do not have cattle and farming implements for their livelihoods. In the past, they carried out farming with their cattle. They have nothing. Forcing them to return home without any assistance reveals lack of humanitarian considerations over the people.”
Armed clashes between the military and the Arakan Army in August and September, 2022 displaced 16,000 people and the number of IDPs in Rakhine State has increased to 90,000, according to a statement released on 19 October by the UNOCHA.
