The Arakan National Party (ANP) sent an open letter to the Arakan State government on August 10 urging the Tatmadaw not to carry out security checks on people affected by the food crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In its letter, the ANP said victims of the Covid-19 pandemic have been reporting to authorities about overnight visitors as required, and still security forces are conducting full-scale searches of people travelling by automobiles and motorbikes, which has led to a sense of insecurity in Arakan State.
“There’s been no security incident in Arakan State, where peace and stability is restored. In this situation, there are many deaths and livelihoods lost due to the pandemic in the camps for internally displaced people (IDPs),” said U Tun Aung Kyaw, a member of the ANP’s policy steering committee.
“It is better not to disturb the peace and stability of Arakan State unnecessarily by using the security forces. That is why our party, out of compassion for the people who are suffering, calls for political and social protections so that there will be no more mental or physical stress.”
In the letter, the ANP said people passing by Battalion No. 540 in Mrauk-U had to get off their motorcycles and push them as security forces were conducting individual inspections of people in passenger vans, as well as conducting unnecessary inspections in other townships.
The statement continued that the local government has not taken any action to address the food and shelter situation of Arakan State’s people during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying plans for assistance were not known, with authorities focusing on security inspections.
The ANP has called on the Arakan State government to provide full assistance to people suffering from food shortages during the pandemic. The main point is that a government is accountable to the people. The government has the power to cope with the problem. Therefore, the Arakan State government has a responsibility to effectively provide food and shelter for the lower classes suffering during the Covid-19 pandemic,” U Tun Aung Kyaw said.
The ANP also called on the government to ensure that international organisations providing humanitarian assistance are granted free and unrestricted access to those in need in times of crisis.
The ANP’s open letter also urged the Arakan State government to allow the free export of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, marine products, farming equipment, and industrial and agricultural products from Arakan State to ensure social stability in the face of declining job opportunities and incomes.
