Arakan News Agency
As police and the Myanmar Army continue their manhunt across rural areas of Maungdaw Township in northern Arakan State for perpetrators of Oct. 9 attacks on border guard posts, Maungdaw locals face rising food prices and livelihood restrictions on Rohingya locals.
While most of the estimated 90 attackers remain on the run their precise identity unknown.
In the hub town of Maungdaw, close to the Bangladesh border, roadblocks have been imposed at every entrance, and police and army personnel question each Muslim who passes. Last week, an existing curfew from 11p.m. – 4 a.m. was extended to 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. throughout Maungdaw District, and is rigorously enforced, making the town eerily quiet during curfew hours.
Deliveries of food and commodities to Maungdaw town have been restricted, causing a sudden rise in prices. Since the attacks and the ensuing security clampdown, a bag of rice has gone from 24,000 to 28,000 kyats.
Authorities have banned local residents from going out to sea for fishing, which many Rohingya rely on for their livelihoods. Seafood has been scarce in local markets as a result.
During the manhunt by police and the army, many Rohingya have fled their villages.
And more than 92 Innocent Rohingyas were killed by Myanmar Army and around 812 houses were burned down by authorities, these sorts of acts by Myanmar government doesn’t come to surprise as they have a long history of persecuting the minority.
