The junta authority is reportedly distributing
propaganda leaflets (pamphlets) in various IDP camps in Rakhine State to
motivate the refugees to return back to their villages.
"Some
people came to the camp and distributed the leaflets. I did not meet them but I
could read a leaflet which was found in my grandmother's room. Similar
leaflets were distributed in earlier occasions too,” said a refugee in
Mrauk U camp.
Those
leaflets are understandably distributed by the military council's national
committee on resettlement of internally displaced persons and closure of
temporary refugee camps.
The
committee emphasizes on closing down all temporary refugee camps after ensuring
the safety of displaced families and finally resettling them in a dignified
manner.
The
socio-economic development after achieving peace and progress is also emphasized
as it’s essential for the national unity, democracy and federalism of Myanmar.
The pamphlets urge the refugees to live peacefully among their communities.
But
when the military authorities are insisting on the return of refugees to their
places, they are raising various concerns with their return.
Most
of the refugees are not interested to return home as they apprehend another
round of gun fighting between the junta soldiers and Arakan Army members.
Moreover, they are scared of mines and remnants of war in their localities,
which are yet to be removed.
Soon
after the military council and AA leaders agreed for a ceasefire in November
2022, several IDPs were forced to return to their places under the townships of
Ponna Kyunt, Mrauk U, Kyauk Taw and Maebon with very minimal support.
According
to the junta reports, 25,474 households (comprising 109952 people) were repatriated to their
places in Kachin, Karen, Rakhine, Shan and Chin States from March 2021 to June 2023.
Various
civil society organizations reveal that there are over 60,000 IDPs in the
Rakhine townships of Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Mrauk U and Kyauk U, where
the refugees show their reluctance to return home without a planned procedure
by the authorities.