Water, electricity and roads are still required for houses built by the Indian government in Maungdaw Township, Hindu refugees said.

The Indian government built 148 houses near Aung Bala village in Maungdaw Township for Hindu IDPs under the India-Myanmar friendship project.

“We cannot live in the houses yet built because the area lacks of water, power and roads. We are not exactly sure if the Myanmar or Indian government would build the infrastructure we need. We did not ask authorities, and the villager administrator has not told us yet,” said U Maung Hla, a Hindu refugee.

A ceremony for handing over houses to Myanmar government was held on 9 July, but Hindu IDPs could not move into the houses yet.

“There are some difficulties that have to be fixed, we need a reliable infrastructure and the area is swamped on rainy days,” said Ma Phwin Ju, one of the Hindu IDPs.

U Toe Aung, consultant of UEHRD, told media in the ceremony that the houses are ready for the refugees to live in.

“We have known that some people are staying in these houses. This is resettlement scheme for IDPs. I think, you all know there are many things that have to be done for the refugees here,” he said in the event.

The Indian government has donated USD 25 million for five years as part of the Indian-Myanmar friendship program.

The Indian government built 148 houses in Shwe Zar village, 60 houses in Kyein Chaung village and 42 houses in Nantda Taung village currently.

About 70 Hindu families in Maungdaw Township and 21 Hindu families in Sittwe, capital city of Arakan State, have yet to move into the houses.