Narinjara News, 16March 2023

The junta authorityhave been organizing camps for intelligencetraining to men and women over 18 years in Thadwe township ofsouthern Rakhine State.

The training is scheduled to be at secondary level of basic education and the young people have beenrecruited by the Ngapali-based  junta battalion number 55.

A person close to the military authority informs that the participants are promised to pay salaries after thecompletion of training.

"The salary support is promised after the training is over. Individuals have been recruited fromthe 8th grade and above," he added.

Due to the economic and political situation, most of the Rakhine youths are struggling to make two mealsa day.

A Thandwe resident alleges that if one listens to the army's promises without analysing those, he/she wouldface problems.

"If the young people engage themselves with the training camps, they may face difficulties in future,” headded.

Rakhine government minister for security and border affairs colonel Kyaw Thu Ra was contacted by telephonefor details, but it turnned futile.Narinjara News can not confirm the matter independently.

The junta forces maintain a ceasefire with the Arakan Army. However, the authorities continue a specialprobe into the food supply routes toULA/AA dominated localities.

U Pe Than, a veteran Rakhine politician, asserted that a permanent peace would not be achieved if thejunta forces continue working differentlyon the ground.

“The military council should avoid wrong activities, if a sustainable ceasefire is expected to yield resultsin Rakhine State. Otherwise the ceasefirewill be broken. I believe that the military council should build trust with the AA during theceasefire period,” he added.

A large number of residents in Rakhine State allege that they have been continuously asked to avoidsupporting the AA and the military officersadvised them to approach only government agencies or judicial personalities in need.