Families displaced by fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State say they have grudgingly begun to move back to their homes after they felt pressured to leave the village shelter where they sought refuge since last year.
The 213 people from 42 families fled to Nga Sin Yine Village in Kyauktaw township in May 2016 amid fighting in Kyaukse Hill, Ponnagyun township.
“The Kyauktaw township administrator told us that we have overstayed our welcome in Nga Sin Yine Village as we initially told them that we would only be staying for three months. He told us to return home,” said U Maung Hla Thein, one of the displaced residents.
“We started moving back in April and 41 families have returned to Kyaukse Hill now. One family still remains in [Nga Sin Yine] village, but they are making arrangements to move back soon. We didn’t receive any assistance from government officials. We have to survive by cutting down bamboo and trees. We haven’t rebuilt our houses yet,” he added.
The displaced families said they have received no assistance in their return.
When Narinjara News contacted the Ponnagyun township administrator on May 1 to ask if the government planned to assist the Kyaukse Hill families, he said: “The village administrator hasn’t informed [the township office] about the arrival of Kyaukse Hill families. We will reply back to you after we make an inquiry.”
Narinjara News was unable to contact Ponnakyun township Hluttaw representative U Aung Than Tin.
Local villagers said military columns continue to be seen around the Kyaukse Hill area but no more fighting has broken out.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
