Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 10 January 2025 

The military junta has directed displaced individuals from Arakan State, escaping the strife in Pyay District, to avoid any connections with the Arakan Army (AA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF). 

Since January, local authorities, law enforcement, immigration officials, and junta soldiers have been reviewing the nightly guest lists of displaced individuals from Arakan State residing in Pyay District, Pyay Township, and Oke Shit Pin Township. They have advised these displaced persons to refrain from any engagement with the AA or PDF. 

A community social worker from Pyay stated, “They are examining the rented accommodations of displaced individuals in Pyay and Oke Shit Pin, where numerous people from Taungup are residing. They review the lists of overnight guests and make phone calls. Subsequently, they advise them against interacting with armed factions such as the AA and PDF. They also instruct them to report any unusual activities and adhere to the People’s Military Service Law.” 

The junta is especially concentrating on young men and women during the guest list verifications. 

Moreover, individuals who have misplaced their national registration cards (NRC) or household lists are being questioned by the junta and penalized, as reported by a local resident of Oke Shit Pin to Narinjara News.

“They primarily concentrate on youth, including both males and females. Some are carefully examined to determine if they lost their NRC during their escape from the conflict or if they lack a household list. Some have actually received fines," said the resident. 

Junta officials have warned that anyone who returns to different regions, including their residences, after escaping the conflict is required to report it. Non-compliance will lead to arrest. 

People displaced from Arakan State are now seeking shelter in different regions of mainland Myanmar, such as Ayeyarwady, Pyay, Magway, and Yangon. Alongside battling livelihood challenges, they encounter extortion, nighttime guest list checks, severe scrutiny for supposed AA connections, and unjust arrests by junta forces. 

(Photo: Junta forces checked family list of IDP in Maebon township in Arakan state in 2024. Old file)