CNI News
20 November, 2024
Although the census-taking was able to be conducted only in the three townships, Rakhine State where armed conflicts were although it had been starting since 1st October, according to locals.
The three townships where census-taking could be conducted are Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung. Among the three townships, the census-taking could be fully conducted, U Saw Naing, a resident of Sittwe, told CNI News.
" The townships where census-taking was conducted are Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu and Manaung. But in Sittwe and Kyauk Phyu, census-taking could be conducted only inside the towns. But census-taking could be fully conducted just in Manaung. In other townships, population and facts were not complete." he said.
Many townships in Rakhine State have been controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) and even in a township that has controlled by the SAC, as residents had to flee due to battles, facts and information would not be available, said locals.
There are 17 townships in Rakhine State and Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Minbya, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Pauktaw, Ranbye and Thandwe have been captured by the AA.
While that census-taking would be conducted was being informed aloud
Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung, Gwa, Ann and Sittwe still have been controlled by the SAC.
" I heard the census-taking was conducted in Sittwe and it can't be done in other places. They won't dare to come to other places." said U Hla Maung Thein, a resident of Mrauk U.
Although the SAC still has controlled Sittwe where census-taking was being conducted, residents of Sittwe fled to safety since several months ago.
The AA is waging offensives to Gwa, Maungdaw and Ann Townships where the SAC has controlled while the AA has blocked Kyauk Phyu, Taung Goat, Manaung and Sittwe Townships.
So, the SAC was able to conduct the census-taking in some wards of the townships only, said locals.
56,000 million kyats would be spent to conduct the census-taking, reported the SAC. The census collected reportedly will be announced on 31st December 2024.
