A lawmaker from Arakan State parliament on Monday submitted a proposal saying that the regional government shouldn’t allow hostilities to occur around ancient buildings, religious buildings, residential areas and public areas.

U Hla Thein Aung, Arakan State MP for Minbya Township, said that he put forward the proposal to receive the regional government’s help for people because a Tatmadaw troop has been positioned on a hill in the middle of Pan Myaung village and shooting heavy weapons towards the areas where clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA are erupting.

“People are caught in the crossfire of the fighting between armed organizations. The Tatmadaw shoot artillery shells from the middle of Pan Myaung village. We could not tell them to stop it. That’s why I submit the proposal so that the government could do what it has to do,” the lawmaker said.

In Pan Myaung villge, three students died and three others received injuries from pieces of shrapnel on 24 August. Family members said that the gunfire was from the Tatmadaw troop positioned on the hill in the middle of the village, but the Tatmadaw denied these allegations.

 

“We do not want to see such incidents any more. We want the regional government to solve the problem in a timely fashion,” the lawmaker said.

U Tun Aung Thein, Arakan State MP for Buthidaung Township, seconded the proposal. The regional parliament agreed to discuss the issues.

The Tatmadaw and the AA began fighting in Arakan State in December last year, resulting in collateral damage during the fighting.