The military council's newspapers are spreading propaganda news on Rakhine issues

In a number of townships in Rakhine State, the military council is involved with war crimes, as the soldiers continue firing artillery shells and indulging in airstrikes on residential areas.

They have also blocked all important roads and waterways to make trade and communication impossible. Thus they cause hardships for the Rakhine people and finaly fostering famine.

In the midst of various inhumane acts, the propaganda tools have been simultaneously deployed to create an illusion that they are supporting the Rakhine people.

On 13 December, the military council owned newspapers published a front-page report featuring photographs under the headline ‘Rehabilitation Materials Sent to Rakhine State’.

"As a part of the planning by the National Disaster Management Committee, the recovery materials are being transported to Rakhine State through vehicles, ships and planes. MV Royal Venus ship carried 100 tons of Lip Channel, 620.54 tons of nails, 17,700 number of 10-foot roof plates, 4 transformers, 4 concrete mixers, 150,000 roofing rods, and 1,640 tons of lumber.

These items are being sent by the ministries of defense, natural resources and environmental conservation. The total shipment amounted to 2,414 tons, and it departed Myanmar terminal for Sittwe township at 2 pm on Wednesday,” said a media report.

A Rakhine human rights activist commented that the news report was viewed as an effort to mislead the people of Myanmar.

"When numerous battles are going on, the dispatch of these building materials is a deliberate act of propaganda. In reality, we can store these materials in warehouses. Even if they were sending food items, we can still grasp some understanding,” he added.

Presently, the trade routes connecting the mainland with Rakhine State are blocked. Along with the blockade of trade routes between the townships there emerged a critical shortage of food products in all Rakhine townships.

The junta soldiers and police personnel arrested over 20 individuals, those including high school students, boat drivers, and women selling betel parcels. The arrests were made on eight boats docked at South Korea's BXT port in Sittwe for violating the imposed travel ban.

According to recent reports, there is indication of a shoot-to-kill order issued against the individuals using the waterways between Pauktaw and Sittwe townships since 13 December.

Due to the road blockages, a scarcity of consumer goods, including rice, is observed in various parts of Rakhine State.

In Kyauk Phyu township, even in absence of any conflict, the waterways and trade routes have been blocked, leading to a scarcity of consumer goods. Approximately 30 local civilians, who came from rural areas to Kyauk Phyu township to sell vegetables, were detained for vending vegetables in the town. They were later released with a pledge.

Currently, despite the absence of any conflict, Manaung township that relies on the waterway has been isolated from other townships, resulting in a shortage of consumer goods.

A political analyst from Sittwe stated that amidst the ongoing conflicts, the materials transported to Sittwe by a ship seem to be directed towards the construction of buildings and bunkers for the soldiers rather than contributing to the development of Rakhine State.