Eight members of an activist group, Arakan Alin Dagar, were found guilty and fined by Sittwe township court on July 22 for disobeying a civil servant, after they collected donations for Arakan refugees without a permit.

The eight people were charged based on a complaint from U Soe Thet Swe, an administrator of Sittwe township, and they were questioned by Sittwe Myoma police station on July 20.

Daw Phyu Phyu Than, a secretary of Arakan Alin Dagar, said that they each had to pay a fine of MMK 20,000 (USD 13.3) for collecting donations without a permit.

“We collected money without requesting permission from them [the authorities]. That’s why they charged us under penal code 188, so now we have to pay a fine of MMK 20,000 each. For the young people in our group MMK 20,000 (USD 13.3) is a lot of money,” she said.

Sittwe township administrative office made an announcement in last February that organisations which collect money in Sittwe need official permission.  

“We are doing charity for Arakan people. It is difficult to watch our brethren go through the trouble they have endure. That’s why we tried to help in our own way and didn’t expect to be charged and fined. We didn’t think to ask for permission from government, considering that our fundraising is an act of good will,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than.

In April, police tried to stop the Myo Sat Yin Thway charity youth group from collecting donations in Sittwe city for Arakan refugees.

More than 50,000 people have been displaced by armed conflicts in Arakan State, and they are in need of food, shelter, education and health assistance.

Fighting has occurred nearly every day between Myanmar Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA), the areas affected by fighting is increasing and so is the number of refugees.