Monday, August 1, 2022

On social media, footage broadcast by Khit Thit Media of student activists pledging on a Yangon bus to overthrow the dictatorship has the most interactions and the highest number of likes, a BBC Burmese report about torrential rain causing the first floods in downtown Pyin Oo Lwin in 20 years has the highest number of shares, and a Khit Thit Media post about “revolutionaries” pledging at an online meeting to maintain the fight to overthrow the junta generates the highest number of comments.

Noteworthy stories: 

Development Media Group
Regime council preparing to repatriate Muslims at end of September

The regime council has made preparations to repatriate Muslims who fled to Bangladesh in 2017 at the end of September, Rakhine State Administration Council spokesperson U Hla Thein said on his social media page on July 29. 

Under an agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh, the authorities are preparing to repatriate Muslims from Maungdaw Township who fled to Bangladesh during the military’s “clearance operation” in 2017 following attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on police outposts in the township.

International organisations said more than 700,000 Muslims fled to Bangladesh.

U Ha Thein said in the post that preparations had been made to test the returning Muslims for COVID-19.

U Maung Ohn, who formerly represented Maungdaw-2 in the Rakhine State Hluttaw for the Arakan National Party, said it was impossible that the Muslims would return home despite the preparations made to repatriate them by the regime council.

“Not all of them will return home because I have heard that they are facing threats from ARSA. They have also demanded to be recognised as Rohingya and to be issued with identity cards. So, I do not see the prospect of their return home,” he said.

The National League for Democracy government tried many times to repatriate them but was unsuccessful.

U Hla Thein told DMG that the authorities had arranged to repatriate an initial 700 Muslims, at the rate of 150 a week. They would be welcomed at the Taung Pyo Let Wae, Hla Poe Khaung and Ngarkhuya repatriation centres, he said.

In a separate development, Narinjara reported that Muslims at Kyauktalone refugee camp in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu Township cannot move to houses built for them at a resettlement village because there is no water or electricity.

A total of 368 houses have been built at the site, but roads, schools and a market are yet to be developed, as well as power and water supplies, said U Maung Ni, the head of Kyauktalone ward.

It was not known when the refugees would be able to move to the new location, he said.

Houses were built at the resettlement village as part of a plan to move refugees out of the camps where they have been living since 2012. Work on the plan began early this year.

Residents of the Kyauktalone refugee camp said houses built at the new site were too flimsy for long-term residence and they were worried about the possibility of flooding during the rainy season.

Former Rakhine State Hluttaw lawmaker U Poe San (ANP, Kyauktaw-2), said the authorities needed to provide all necessary facilities before the refugees were resettled at the new site, including a water supply, electricity, roads, religious buildings and a cemetery.

Kyauktalone refugee camp was built in 2012 after communal violence and it houses 1,532 people, most of whom are from Paik Seik ward in Kyaukphyu town.

[Many Myanmar media outlets use "Muslims in Rakhine" as a euphemism to avoid using "Rohingya", which many in Myanmar still refuse to recognise as an ethnic group, or the term "Bengali", which is seen as derogatory.]

Narinjara
Regime ban prevents delivery of more than 55,000 bags of rice donated by Nippon Foundation to IDPs in nine townships in Rakhine State 

More than 55,000 bags of rice donated by Nippon Foundation to IDPs in nine townships in Rakhine State cannot be delivered because of a ban imposed by the regime council.

The rice was due to be distributed at the end of May, but its delivery was banned because of the tensions between the Arakan Army and junta forces, said Nippon Foundation rice donation coordinator U Win Aung.

Residents of IDP camps at Ponnagyun, Minbya, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Ann, Kyauktaw, Myebon, Mrauk-U and Pauktaw townships were due to receive a bag of rice each.

U Win Aung said the quality of the rice would decline if its delivery was delayed, which would be a huge loss.

“It needs to be distributed promptly. The respective authorities need to understand that it is wrong to base the delivery of humanitarian aid on political and military considerations,” he said, adding that the situation could become “ugly”.

There are more than 60,000 IDPs in Rakhine State and many are facing difficulties because they are not receiving a regular supply of food. Some are reported to have committed suicide because of stress.

Shan News (Burmese)
Ta'ang National Party says RCSS has ordered village in southern Shan State’s Laikha Township to provide more than 200 recruits by August 1

The Ta’ang National Party in southern Shan State’s Mongkaing Township said in a statement on July 27 that the Restoration Council of Shan State has demanded that residents of Nawnglai village in Laikha Township provide it with 200 recruits by August 1.

The statement was issued after the RCSS/Shan State Army-South arrested about 50 residents of the village overnight on July 23.

The statement denounced the arrests as amounting to a lack of humanitarianism because the arrests, conducted amid gunfire, displaced almost all residents of the village.

At a meeting on July 25, the RCSS told village officials to provide 200 recruits by August 1 and threatened to make arrests, including of women, children and the elderly, if the demand was not met, the statement said.

At a meeting at the village on July 1, the RCSS forcibly recruited 200 villagers and collected 230 bags of rice worth about K8 million, it said.

It added that villagers were anxious because the RCSS abducted 19 residents in November 2018 and their whereabouts remained unknown.

The statement expressed serious concern about conflict between the Ta’ang and Shan because the RCSS was only recruiting Ta’ang.

Nawnglai has a population of nearly 2,000 and the RCSS has deployed about 200 troops at a base it has built just outside the village, Shwe Phee Myay News Agency reported.

Shan News (Burmese)
Resident killed, others detained during drug raids by ethnic armed groups in Mongmit Township, northern Shan State

A suspected drug dealer was killed and some residents were detained in villages of northern Shan State’s Mongmit Township during raids by ethnic armed groups.

Four villagers of the township’s Mong Bon (Wang Bon Kan) and Wang Ohn villages were arrested by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army on July 27 for drug cases, residents said.

On the same day, there was an exchange of fire when the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North arrested four villagers, including a suspected drug dealer, in Wang Fai village, a resident told the Shan Herald.

“A man who sells drugs in Wang Fai village resisted the SSPP/SSA-North forces and was shot dead,” said a man aged 40 who lives in Mongmit town and asked not to be identified.

Another six residents of Mong Bon (Wang Bon Kan) and Wang Ohn villages were arrested by TNLA members on July 28, the man said.

Members of the SSPP/SSA-North arrived at the villages after the TNLA left, the man added.

Residents are worried that the arrests and heightened tensions between the two ethnic armed groups could erupt into conflict.

The front page headlines:

1. Five-point Road Map of State Administration Council
2. Republic of the Union of Myanmar National Defence and Security Council announcement on extending by a further six months of declaration of State of Emergency [until January 31, 2023]
3. Banks have been able to operate regularly due to government’s support despite a decline in trust in them because of inside and outside instigations [says Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at National Defence and Security Council meeting 2/2022]

Myawady Daily (military) 

1. Five-point Road Map of State Administration Council
2. Republic of the Union of Myanmar National Defence and Security Council announcement on extending State of Emergency by further six months 
3. National Defence and Security Council of Republic of the Union of Myanmar holds meeting 2/2022

Daily Eleven (private) 

1. Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Pyin Oo Lwin town, Mandalay Region [since July 31 morning]
2. Explosion in South Dagon Myothit Township, Yangon Region, injures four [July 31 morning, explosion near bus stop on No.2 Main Road in the township, say residents]
3. House and trees destroyed by landslide after heavy rain at Mogok town, Mandalay Region [July 30 morning, says township level Myanmar Red Cross Society official]
4. U Ar Se, chair of Lisu Literature and Culture and former Kachin State’s Lisu ethnic affairs minister, hospitalised after being shot at close range [July 30 night, shot outside his house by two gunmen]
5. Protests against acts of terrorism and killings in three locations in Mandalay city [July 31 morning, regime supporters protest at Kuthodaw Pagoda and Pyigyitagon and Chan Mya Tharzi townships]
6. National Defence and Security Council meeting extends state of emergency for another six months [July 31 morning, declaration signed by acting president U Myint Swe]

The Standard Time Daily (private)

1. Seasonal flu and diarrhoea outbreak among IDPs in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region
2. Two killed, many injured by explosions in some Yangon Region townships [two killed by explosion at house in Thingangyun Township, three hurt by blast at mohingya shop in North Dagon Myothit Township, four hurt by blast at bus stop on No.2 Road , South Dagon Myothit Township; July 31]
3. More than 170 Myanmar released from detention centres in Thailand arrive at Kawthaung town, southern Tanintharyi Region [July 29]
4. Flooding in Pyin Oo Lwin town, Mandalay Region [July 31]

Online news

Dawei Watch

1. Maw Taung-Sing Khon border gate with Thailand to reopen on August 1, say traders, agents and truck drivers [suspended for four months since April due to clashes in Tanintharyi Township]

Development Media Group

1. Regime council preparing to repatriate Muslims at end of September [says spokesperson of Rakhine State Administration Council on his social network page]
2. Police lieutenant shot dead by police constable in Kyaukphyu town, Rakhine State [July 29 night; shot during argument at police station]

DVB TV News

1. Four people arrested in Yangon’s Kamaryut and Pazundaung townships for anti-junta protests [three people in Kamaryut Township arrested for banging pots; taxi driver in Pazundaung Township arrested for sounding car horn; July 31]
2. NLD supporters tortured or killed at villages controlled by Pyusawhti militia in Pauk Township, Magway Region, say PDFs and residents 
3. Junta convoy attacked by landmines three times on Kalay-Tamu road in Sagaing Region’s Kalay Township, 15 soldiers killed, three vehicles destroyed, says People’s Defence Force Kalay [July 30]
4. NUG says all shares in junta leader’s Inya Road residence sold on July 30 

Kantarawaddy Times

1. Naval officer from Yangon’s Thanlyin Township defects to Bawlakhe PDF in Kayah State, says BPDF on July 29 

Karen Information Center

1. More than 500 villagers flee to Thailand to escape fighting between junta forces and Venom Column at Waw Lay, south of Myawaddy town, Kayin State [fighting resume from July 27 to 31]
2. Regime council conducts airstrike on IDP camp in Kyaukkyi, Bago Region [KNU Brigade 3 terroritory on July 29]
3. Forty-four houses and church destroyed by junta artillery fire south of Kawkareik Township, Kayin State [between July 23 and 29]

MNA TV & Online News

1. Some political parties say they will have to stand in election when it occurs because they are officially registered [in response to NUG acting president Duwa Lashi La’s request to boycott election; SAC chair says election will be held in August 2023]

Narinjara

1. Muslims at Kyuktalone displacement camp in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu Township cannot move to site where new houses built [no water or electricity; 368 houses built]
2. Arakan National Party to hold emergency conference to reelect party leaders, says ANP chair 
3. IDP man in Kyauktaw town, Rakhine State, commits suicide by stabbing himself [July 30]
4. More than 55,000 bags of rice donated by Nippon Foundation to IDPs at nine townships in Rakhine State cannot be delivered because of regime council ban [donation arranged for end of May, say Nippon Foundation rice donation coordinators]
5. Explosion at Yangon’s City Hall despite strict security on July 30, four police and two YCDC staff injured
6. Muslim villagers in Minbya Township, Rakhine State, hold ceremony to pray for rain [due to drought; July 31]

Shan News (Burmese)

1. Ta'ang National Party says RCSS ordered residents of Naung Lai village in Laihka Township, southern Shan State, to provide more than 200 recruits by August 1 [July 27 statement]
2. RCSS in statement says it will seek to achieve peace and federal democratic union by negotiating with all relevant organisations [July 31]
3. Residents killed during arrests by ethnic armed groups for drug cases in Mongmit Township, northern Shan State

The 74 Media

1. 13-year-old girl killed and four injured after junta forces fire artillery at Demoso IDP camp, Kayah State [July 31 evening]

[VIDEO]

Youths from the Brave Students group pledged to overthrow the dictatorship on a Yangon Bus Service bus at about 10:37am on July 31. The group urged passengers to oppose the dictatorship and vowed to participate in the revolution until revolution is successful.

Total interactions: 132,285 (123,208 likes, 4,091 comments, and 4,986 shares)

Note: This post has the highest number of “likes”.

Flooding in downtown Pyin Oo Lwin affects houses, shops
BBC Burmese

[PHOTOS]

Torrential rain caused flooding in downtown Pyin Oo Lwin on the morning of July 31 and houses and shops were affected, residents said. They said creeks near the town also overflowed due to the heavy rain and flooded low-lying areas of the town. They said the first flooding in the town in 20 years. The flooding was caused by continuous rain from 2am to 9am on July 31 and some furniture from houses floated away. There were no injuries, said an official of Pyin Oo Lwin Funeral Service Society. The flooding was reported to have eased after the rain stopped.

Total interactions: 86,620 (79,308 likes, 1,071 comments, and 6,241 shares)

Footage of flooding in downtown of Pyin Oo Lwin 
BBC Burmese

[VIDEO]

Neighbourhoods in downtown Pyin Oo Lwin town in Mandalay Region were flooded as a result of torrential rain early on July 31, residents said. They said the first flooding in the town in 20 years affected houses and shops.

Total interactions: 75,590 (61,347 likes, 1,603 comments, and 12,640 shares)

Note: This post has the highest number of “shares”.

Malaysian foreign minister says Kuala Lumpur will oppose any election held by junta and urges ASEAN to do same
BBC Burmese

Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah said on July 30 that Malaysia will oppose any election held by the Myanmar junta and urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take the same approach. The minister said there must be a free and fair election agreed by all stakeholders, and it must include a transition plan, ceasefire, national stability plan, a genuine transformation and redrafting the constitution. ASEAN also needs to learn about what was happening in Myanmar from those who know the real situation, the minister said. He said that ASEAN needs to work with the international community, especially the UN Secretary-General and his special envoy to Myanmar to help the Myanmar people.

Total interactions: 71,191 (66,602 likes, 1,366 comments, and 3,223 shares)

Despite strict security, student group holds anti-junta protest on Yangon Bus Service buses on July 30
BBC Burmese

[PHOTOS]

Despite strict security, members of the University Students' Unions Alumni Force held anti-junta protests on Yangon Bus Service buses in the city on July 30. They also chanted slogans to honour those who have died opposing the coup and urged passengers to support efforts to fight the regime until it is overthrown. Before doing these activities, the USUAF members apologised to passengers for any inconvenience caused by anti-coup activities.

Total interactions: 68,472 (65,578 likes, 988 comments, and 1,906 shares)

NUG urges UN Security Council to act quickly on R2P in Myanmar
BBC Burmese

The UN Security Council urgently needs to implement the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect in Myanmar by sending weapons and troops, National Unity Government foreign minister Daw Zin Mar Aung said. She said although the international community provides weapons to Ukraine and airlifts emergency food supplies to Afghanistan, it is silent on the Myanmar people. "Will the international community take action against the military dictators only after how many human lives have been lost?" she said. The NUG demanded that the international community take four steps: to quickly implement R2P in Myanmar; to effectively cut off any income of the Tatmadaw and military leaders; to suspend all international representation of the junta; and to immediately recognise the NUG as the legitimate government. Daw Zin Mar Aung was speaking after the all Security Council members, including China and Russia, condemned the junta's execution of four prisoners.

Total interactions: 65,365 (62,228 likes, 1,139 comments, and 1,998 shares)

Footage of Yangon residents banging pots and pans and sounding vehicle horns as part of pledge to overthrow dictatorship
Khit Thit Media

[VIDEO]

Yangon's residents in most of the city’s dictatorships banged pots and pans and sounded vehicle horns as part of a public pledge to defeat the dictatorship at about 10:37am on July 31. Plainclothes junta forces detained two civilians in Hledan Market in Yangon's Kamaryut Township for beating pots and pans and also raided the houses of those who banged pots and pans in Ahlone Township.

Total interactions: 63,067 (58,291 likes, 924 comments, and 3,852 shares)

Footage of Yangon's residents banging pots and pans and sounding vehicle horns as part of pledge to overthrow dictatorship
Khit Thit Media

[VIDEO]

[Same as above.]

Total interactions: 58,244 (55,002 likes, 589 comments, and 2,653 shares)

Two Ma Ba Tha members killed while making bombs at house in Yangon's Thingangyun Township 
Khit Thit Media

Two followers of Tun Kyaw, a member of the hardline Buddhist nationalist group known as Ma Ba Tha were killed while making bombs at a house in Yangon's Thingangyun Township at about 5am on July 31, residents said. They said junta forces who went to the scene of the explosion made no arrests and did not conduct an investigation. Mabatha and the nationalists started bombings in the public places that harmed the public and defamed the PDF, Ko Hein Wai Yan, who know about the Ma Ba Tha and nationalist. The junta's lobbies ‌are spread propaganda on the Telegram social pages that the two victims of the bombing are PDFs members.

Total interactions: 57,191 (44,039 likes, 3,479 comments, and 9,673 shares)

Revolutionaries pledge online to fight to overthrow junta
Khit Thit Media

[VIDEO]

Revolutionaries held a Zoom meeting on July 31 to pledge to fight to overthrow the junta.

Total interactions: 54,047 (43,369 likes, 6,695 comments, and 3,983 shares)

Note: This post has the highest number of “comments”.