The Arakan State Hluttaw approved a proposal urging the state government to take necessary measures to ensure both the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) avoid targeting civilians, despite objections from Tatmadaw lawmakers.
U Tun AungThein, a representative from Buthidaung Township, submitted the proposal on September 24, and the proposal was discussed by five representatives and approved on September 30.
Major Tun Ko Ko Latt, a Tatmadaw representative, objected to the proposal saying it could create misunderstandings towards Tatmadaw.
He said that mentioning both the Tatmadaw and AA together meant they both were culpable and suggested that Tatmadaw targeted attacks against the local people.
“The Tatmadaw never attacks the public and only protects them according to its ethics. That’s why the wording of the proposal is in opposition to the Tatmadaw’s behavior. They only have to object to the AA, which focuses its attack on the public without following ethics,” Major Tun Ko Ko Latt said.
During the discussion, U Tun Thar Sein, a representative from Mrauk-U Township, supported the proposal, saying that the number of people displaced by the conflicts between the Tatmadaw and AA is increasing day by day.
“People left their farmland because of the fighting. Soldiers set up camp near the farmland and people are afraid to go back to work because unexploded bullets and bombs are still left on their farmlands. So people’s businesses go bad and the state’s production has also declined,” U Tun Thar Sein said.
Colonel Min Than, Arakan State border affairs and security minister, suggested that the Hluttaw record the proposal rather than put it to a vote.
“I’d like to suggest to keep this proposal as a record because the Union is managing the conflict issues directly and continuously,” the colonel said.
However, the proposal was approved because 19 representatives supported discussing it further and only 12 people agreed to keep as record.
MPs said that more than 80 locals had died and 130 were injured because of conflicts in Arakan State.
