December
4, 2017
It
reached for over 3 months that ARSA extremist terrorists made a series of
attacks in Maungtaw, Rakhine on August 25. Due to the events, situations on
administrative, economic, transportation, regional development affairs strayed
from the right paths, displacing people to other regions. Concerning these
changes, with the instructions of the State Government and Regional Governments
authorities concerned are implementing restoration of the machinery into normal
state by launching operations on the ground, starting to come into existences
to some extent, for the time being.
Here
is the interview with U Ye Htut, , Maungtaw District Commissioner who is now
dealing with the implementation of the development in Maungtaw Region by the
News Team.
Q:
Let me know the process implemented after 3 months period of August 25 event in
Maungtaw.
A:
After August 25 event, regional security was under control in cooperation
between organisations taking responsibilities of security sector. And, we had
managed to deal with rule of law in the region. At the time of restoration of
security and rule of law, humanitarian assistances are being given to all the
injured people living in the region, regardless of race and religion.
Simultaneously rehabilitation and resettlements are being implemented.
Statistics and necessary facts and figures of those injured and destroyed due
to the events were collected systematically with the help of departments and
security forces. For the time being, necessary food and other commodities are
being given. During the periods, displaced people were assembled in a place and
provided with aids. Now that area consolidation is being gained, aids
deliveries were made to those who are greatly in need of help. In doing so,
people were provided equally depending upon the amounts of the population,
regardless of race or religion. Remote villages and those which were not easily
accessible were assembled in a place and infrastructures needed for them were
built. For now, 12 new villages were designated.
Q:
It has been learnt that preparations are being made to accept those who run
away to the neighboring countries. Let me know the time to be implemented?
A:
It has been agreed between Myanmar and Bangladesh. With the instruction given
through the Rakhine State Government according to the National Policy laid
down, we will carry out. Concerning the acceptance, those who will come by road
will be accepted at Taungpyo Letwe camp, with those who will come by boat to be
accepted at the Ngakhura Camp. After making them stay at the temporary camp for
some period, accommodation for them will continue to be launched. It will be
implemented as soon as possible as agreed at the national level.
Q:
New villages are being built, it was learnt. What kinds of buildings are being
built:
A:
The land has been designated for building 12 combined villages. Of them, at six
villages ground-breaking was already made. Reclamation and foundations were
already being made. All the companies had been ordered to complete the
construction not later than 31st March. Most include one-storeyed buildings.
Traditional types will also be included.
Q:
What about the arrangement for construction in the villages destroyed by fire?
A:
It is impossible to restore in its original condition, concerning resettlements
in the villages burnt down by terrorists. On such grounds, there were no
inhabitants and properties, home-made firearms and mines were found in finding
those places on receipt of news and information. It needs to systematically
clear away on these place. Now the places are being cleared away with
machineries provided by the government.
Q:
To which extent, had the process of harvest in Maungtaw district reached?
A:
Due to the events, there were more than 60000 acreage of un-harvested monsoon
paddy in the region.
Harvest
and winnowing was started one month ago. Altogether 0.14 million baskets of
rice had been collected. Under the supervision of the Rakhine State Government,
harvest, drying and selling was made.
Q:
We heard people say about slow development of road transport in Maungtaw. Let
me know about the preparations, if ever?
A:
Concerning repair of roads, they are being repaired for the roads to be able to
be used for the time being. Companies assigned by the national-level are also
implementing. On completion of website of roads most of the roads in Maungtaw
district will become better, we hope.
Q:
It has been learnt that Rathedaung-Buthidaung-Maungtaw Power Grid Line started
to be implemented. When will it be used in Maungtaw region?
A:
For the time being Buthidaung and Maungtaw areas were supplied with power
generators. After the event October 9 2016, electricity is being distributed
from 6 pm to 6 am for the whole night. In March 2017 Rathedaung and in June
Buthidaung and December in 2018 Maungtaw will be supplied with electricity.
Q:
Due to the event, almost all basic education schools were known to have
suspended. Let us know the present situation of reopening the schools.
A:
In Maungtaw region, there are more than 400 schools. As schools are being
reopened as situation permits more than half are being reopened by now. As for
the (school) buildings, there were some that were damaged. If it is not damaged
and if there are students ready to attend it, it will be reopened. If it is
damaged and there isn’t any student to attend, it is not reopened. The school
is not damaged but if there isn’t any student to attend, it will remain
suspended. If the school is not damaged and there are students ready to attend,
it will be opened as soon as security situation permits.
Q:
Explain about the status of trade in Maungtaw region and reopening of markets.
A:
In Maungtaw district, there are small markets in every village in the past.
These markets are not systematic in terms of municipal law. Therefore,
arrangements are made for those markets to systematically conduct trade. The
markets are to be operated under the management of the municipal. Similarly,
markets under the management of municipals are being arranged to be opened.
Although Maungtaw Myoma market is opened 24 hours, meat, fish and vegetables
were being sold in each wards and villages markets. Myoma market sells clothing
and other consumer products the whole day but the development is not like in main
land area so people are relying on individual shops. People are depending more
on markets in wards and villages and Myoma market is not as busy as in the
past. Myoma market is a distinct market in Maungtaw town and plans are underway
for it to be the indicator of development.
Q
: How do you see the Maungtaw situation as a district administrator?
A:
If you want to develop a region, you need to view the event in the region as it
is. Based on the view, cooperation must be provided with good intention. Some
will think along the way they want based on the events in the conflict area
while some will think one-sidedly.
By
viewing the situation as it is and cooperating, trust will improve. Due to the
conflicts, security is affected. When security is affected, rule of law become
weak. If rule of law is weak, (the region) it is left behind in development. If
all want development all need to cooperate with good intention. Terrorism based
on religion is not related to a religion. It is simply terrorism. It is related
only to those who use religion for other matters. We are at the age of
democracy government and everything will be conducted according to the law.
There will be no discrimination in anyway. Those who want to cooperate need to
cooperate according to the law.
Q:
There were criticisms that Maungtaw region is weak in rule of law. As a
responsible person, what would you like to say about this?
A:
The administrative machinery must be firm to restore rule of law in Maungtaw
region. As the administrative machinery is run according to the law,
enforcement of law is required. Without firm administrative machinery, rule of
law is not easy. Policies, rules, regulations etc. need to be obeyed exactly.
If not, affective action needs to be taken. Only then will the rule of law be
established. Once the rule of law is firm the idea of having no security need
not be considered.
Based
on the country’s policy, preparation to elect new administrators is being made.
As for the villages, administrative organizations and departmental
organizations are weak in reaching the local populace. As the administrative
organizations did not reach the local populace, trust and dependent on the
administration organizations is also reduced. Administrative organizations need
to be in touch with the local populace regularly. Data are to be collected
systematically. Short and long term plans need to be drawn up and submitted to
the state government. Villages are to be pushed and managed to implement
policies set. Management will be according to the law. If anyone goes beyond
the law, effective action will be taken. Fences that are making a maze in the
village will be removed. There should be proper road for entry and exit to/from
the village. Existence of health hazards and lack of systematic house
construction is due to the weaknesses of the related departments. Nothing more
need to be said about rule of law in the region if the administrators
administrate according to the law and the people obey the law.
By
News Team, Photo: Min Htet
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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