Thandwe fishermen prevented from going to sea for 3 days as junta’s military exercise with Russia planned

Myanmar military junta has ordered the owners of boats, cargo and fishing boats in Thandwe township, located in southern areas of Rakhine State, not to go out to the sea for three days from Tuesday as a military exercise with Russia is planned.

Local fishermen informed Narinjara News that they were issued an order by the junta authorities to be avoid going to sea during 7 to 9 November.

A woman from Ngapali town said that the junta planned to go for a military exercise on the sea. The local authority announced about it in various parts of the town with a loudspeaker.

But the military exercise is planned on Andaman sea only and it’s far from their localities.

"They will test their weapons. There are a large number of fishermen in Thandwe locality and they will face more difficulties because of the order," said a young worker based in Ngapali town.

A local fishing boat owner confirmed that the military council had banned the people from going to the sea for three days. Thus the fishermen have to stop their daily work and they will face financial problems.

For the first time, the junta soldiers have engaged with Russian forces for maritime security exercises in Andaman sea, 85 nautical miles west of Myeik in Tanintharyi division. The military vessels from both the countries have joined in the exercise, reported the junta owned newspaper titled New Light of Myanmar.