PAUKTAW: The northern area of Pauktaw, which defeated the junta in the country’s civil war, paid a price for the destruction of damaged structures, unfilled windows, and blocks that were torn to rubble.
As the military’s coup sparked by the ethnic minority armed group Arakan Army ( AA ) took control of the fishing port of 20,000 people in January, a 20,000-person armed group took control of the port.
The junta suffered a number of losses during that time, which gave some hope that its decades-old rule over Myanmar’s politics could be overturned.
Four months later, the Arakan Army is still in power, but Pauktaw is generally devoid of people who are frightened of a follow of the regime’s heavy artillery assaults on the town.
” We are frightened of them ( the army ),” one man told AFP from his temporary residence only outside Pauktaw, asking for secrecy for security reasons.
We do n’t know what will happen or what kind of weapon will be dropped on us if we leave town and stay at home.
We cannot identify their weapons or airstrikes, and any harm by them will kill us. “
Outside of song and the noises of AA troops sifting through piles of dirt and corrugated metal sheets, the video captured by locals this fortnight and obtained solely by AFP by AFP.
A ragged cover promotion a mobile phone provider flutters above the porch of a destroyed store, close to a lonely industry that again bounded with vendors buying and selling crabs and tiger shrimp.
Phone and online access have been essentially slowed down.
– No opportunity-
The AA has fought an on-off war for years against the Myanmar government, seeking more freedom for the country’s cultural Myanmar people.
As the military has faced growing sensitivity to its rule, from various military groups– some fresh, some long-established– the AA has stepped up its campaign.
The junta is increasingly relying on its air force to assist its ground troops because it has lost place on the ground.
The junta is accused of using the cuts to condemn neighborhoods suspected of opposing its rule by rights organizations.
Some people fled in panic when a military aircraft flew over Pauktaw and started shooting into the city last November.
One person who is now living outside the village told AFP,” There was no opportunity for us to get a single thing from our home.”
” We had cooked a dish of rice and we were not able to eat it,” she said, even asking for privacy.
When we fled, we had no income. We merely carried some silver jewelry. We tried to pawn that but it was n’t easy. The demand was very great. “
The tragedy of Pauktaw’s occupants reflects a global tragedy. Across Myanmar, about 2. The legal war forced 7 million people to flee.
– Looting-
People of Pauktaw are urged to evacuate the area because of the risk of more air or artillery attacks on the town, but the AA does permit them to travel to and pick up items.
The person who spoke to AFP claimed to have returned to his home after discovering it partially destroyed and with the family Buddha statue strewn to the ground.
His savings account, which included cash for a Buddhist tradition for his children and for firewood to restore a roof that was damaged by a hurricane last yr, was gone, he claimed.
” I have lost all of that money,” he said.
” Anything in our house got stolen… my husband’s hunting baskets were stolen,” another lady said, also requesting privacy.
” I am a tailor, and alas, I managed to keep my sewing systems. “
During the battle, both factors looted houses and destroyed structures, according to local reports.
In March, the AA said it would “investigate” any information of plundering by its members during the battle.
– ‘ Significant battle’-
Territories in Rakhine state and along the Indian-Bangladesh borders have been seized as a result of the AA’s unpleasant.
Sittwe, the state capital, may be seized 25 kilometers from Pauktaw, the next big city in northern Rohingya in the military’s control, according to reports.
In April, the AA warned residents of the town, which is home to an India-backed deep sea port, to keep away of a “decisive” war.
Residents of the town who spoke with AFP reported that the government was stifling traveling by road and river and that basic food prices had doubled.
Those who have already been evacuated from Pauktaw are concerned about additional fighting outside.
One resident told AFP,” I’m sad that we have fled our own home and we ca n’t live there.”
” I have pawned my necklace for 18 lakhs ($ 850 ) so we have money to live. I’m also hopeful I can get it again. “
Some said they wanted retribution.
One woman said,” I have n’t joined the Arakan Army because I worry about who will look after my child.”
” If I was n’t… I would fight again and join them. Only if I may get revenge, I will be satisfied. “
