MP Tun Thar Sein from Mrauk-U constituency (1) confirmed the news to Mizzima that 89 village administrators in Mrauk-U Township, northern Rakhine State, tendered their resignation letters to the township administrator.

“Eighty-nine tendered resignation. They said they had to do this because of lack of their security,” he said.

There are about over 100 village administrators in Mrauk-U and now about 90 percent of them tendered their resignations.

These village administrators resigned from their jobs in the wake of arrest of four of their colleagues in Mrauk-U Township, northern Rakhine State, by police and then they were registered with case under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act.

Village administrator Sein Hla Maung grom Yan Aung Pyin village, Maung Oo Sein from Pyine Cha village, Maung Tin Shwe from Pauk Pin Kwin village and Aung Naing Tun from Kyauk Se Pyin village were taken by township police force from the monthly meeting being held at Mrauk-U Township Administrator Office on February 28 for questioning.

In the armed conflicts between Arakan Army (AA) and Tatmadaw (government military) in Rakhine State, the local people are being arrested and interrogated by both sides.

Similarly these local people in conflict areas were frequently arrested and charged with allegedly having contact with rebels under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act.