The military council hasconducted extensive searches for members of the armed resistance in ThandweTownship, Arakan State, under the pretext of the presence of the People’sDefense Forces (PDF), locals report.

On the morning of 15 September, three military truckscarrying about 60 soldiers from Thandwe arrived in Payit and Yay Kaung YwarHaung villages, located about 30 miles from Thandwe, and searched thesurrounding forests and areas for PDF members, according to locals.

One local, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “They camevia the 5 Mile road near the hydroelectric power plant. About 60 fully armedsoldiers in three military vehicles arrived at Payit (the former village of YayKauk), which is about 30 miles from Thandwe. They said they were searching forPDF members. They have been patrolling the forested areas in ambush since themorning of 15 September. I don’t know what they are up to.”

As the military council troops continue their night patrolsin the forested areas, locals suspect that they are also looking for ArakanArmy (AA) members in the Thandwe area under the pretext of the PDF.

Moreover, since many administrative activities in northernRakhine State are now under the control of the Arakan Army, the militarycouncil may be trying to maintain control over the southern regions, localssay.

As military council troops continue to patrol, locals whorely on the forest for their livelihoods have had to suspend their activitiesand can no longer enter the forested areas.

“We can no longer forage in the forests because they patrolthe area. Farmers have had to stop working. We don’t know how long this willlast,” said a Thandwe resident.

In recent days, military council troops have been conductingstricter checks at the town gates of Thandwe and thoroughly inspectingvehicles.

In Thandwe Township and several other towns in Arakan State,some female activists and locals were sentenced to long prison terms by themilitary council last year for allegedly having links to and financiallysupporting the PDF, according to locals.