Regarding the government’s ongoing provision of assistance and care to Bengalis residing in Rakhine State, the following statement was made by U Kyaw Tin Hlaing, a 100-household elder from Aungmingala Ward in Sittway.

 

U Kyaw Tin Hlaing (100-household elder)

Aungmingala Ward, Sittway.

My name is U Kyaw Tin Hlaing. My Muslim name is Musa Ahmed. I am a 100-household elder from Aungmingala Ward. There are five wards namely Gontan, Kathit, Kyaunggyilan, Aungmingala, and Maulid connected with ethnic communities. There are 720 households with a population of around 4,000 people in these five wards. I have been serving as a 100-household elder since 2010. During the conflict period in June 2012, Tatmadaw and police members protected our ward. Nothing happened to our ward due to the protection provided in a timely manner.

As there were concerns about arson, the state government, in cooperation with the combined team comprising Tatmadaw and police protected our ward. At that time, tensions between groups were high, and there were fears for people’s safety, so security was provided. Up to now, nothing has happened to our ward.

The government provides us with rice every month. NGOs also assist frequently. In the past, there were the Myoma market and shops in our ward. There were traders, painters, masons, carpenters, and casual labourers of all kinds. After the conflict, due to a lack of harmony between communities, people stayed within the village and survived on aid.

Around 2019, after relations gradually became more harmonious, the checkpoints that had been set up were removed. Police units were also completely withdrawn in 2020. Now, we can go to the main market outside and buy goods. Some fish vendors are also able to go to the main market to sell fish. There are no problems.
In our ward, there are also shops and clinics jointly operated with ethnic communities. At the clinic opened by the government, people of all religions come for medical treatment. There are no problems between people. At present, there is freedom.
Regarding healthcare, during the conflict period, if we needed to go to a hospital, we had to inform the authorities and go under security arrangements through the ward. Now, there is no need to do that. We can go to clinics on our own. There is also a Thaddha Clinic operating in the ward. We can get healthcare services there. The government provides medical services in the ward twice a week on a regular basis.
There used to be only one primary school in our ward for children. Now, it has been upgraded to a middle school. The chief minister pledged that a school building will be built to be a high school from the middle school in the future. We have not yet been able to provide land, but once land is provided, the government will construct the school. For examinations, students currently go to Thetkaepyin to sit for their exams.
Now, if there are tenders in our area, Muslims are also able to apply for tenders through the government. We apply jointly with ethnic communities. Whoever qualifies wins the tender. Businesspeople and traders also order goods from Yangon and sell them here. Some people work as painters, masons, and carpenters at the homes of ethnic people. Harmony has been achieved. At present, there are absolutely no problems. We are also able to go to the hospital for medical treatment. As Muslims, we are required to pray at the mosque five times a day, and we can do all five prayers regularly.

News Team/KTZH

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