As the military junta spreads false information to increase  ethnic tensions in major cities like Yangonand Mandalay, the Rakhine people livingin the mainland remain  anxious about the impending ethnic
conflicts and arrests.

Various pro junta’s mediaspace are full of disinformation where the junta people are posting old photographs of the 2017 cyclone Nargis victimsas being fresh ones. With more toit, a number of leaflets instigating ethnichatred were distributed in certain locations of Mandalay on 12 February. Some Rakhine restaurants andspecific locations in Yangon alsowitnessed such papers on 13 February.

A Rakhine youth from Hlaing Thar Yar also expressed deep concern that many people were  arrested in ShwePyi Thar, Hlaing Thar Yar, South Dagonand Thingangyun townships in Yangonrecently.

"We keep hearing such reports that Rakhine people are being arrested by the junta forces in differentlocations in Yangon.Many are talking about it andhence I am very much worried. Many Rakhine people are now planning to return their original places out offear,” he added.

A Rakhine woman selling mont di (Rakhine traditional fish soup with rice noodle) in Okkalapa township in Yangon expressedher concerns saying that they areworried about the military service laws.

“We  heard many people were arrested. As the junta forces are facing defeat in Rakhine State, they aretaking this step as a revenge. If theyare targeting Rakhine people, I cannot support them. I may also
be arrested. The Bamar people may not have a clear understanding about the situation. So they may believe inthe rumours," she added.

Narinjara News continues investigating the matter and can not authenticate immediately that Rakhinepeople are being arrested  in Yangon.

The Bamar community has already stated that the military junta were instigating ethnic tensions between thetwo communities. But that is notendorsed by the  Bamar people in general.

"The primary message, I wish to convey to the Rakhine people and all other ethnic groups,including our Bamar community, is that the military junta does not represent us, the Bamarpeople. We, the Bamar, standin opposition to this oppressive regime. We have learnt from the junta's history ofdiscrimination and propaganda, and now we stand united in this revolution. The actions of themilitary junta do not reflectthe sentiments of the Bamar community. They are a separate entity. We want to clarify that theiractions do not reflect the views ofBamar people," said Dr Kyi Soe Tun, the people's administration officer of Saw township.

Moreover, in response to the declarations made by the military junta and their supporters saying -I will noteat Rakhine mont di anymore, many ethnic groups, including Bamar supporters of the revolution,
asserted that they continue enjoying Rakhine mont di and other Rakhine dishes.

On 8 February, three military vessels belonging to the junta sank following the Arakan Army (AA)offensive on Kaladan river in Kyauktaw township.

The military junta spread false information that 700 people, who were on the military vessels, died asRakhine villagers attacked them with knivesas the passengers arrived on the bank.

The AA in a statement issued on 11 February said that many individuals, who swam to safety afterthe sinking of three military vesselsin Kaladan river were rescued by AA members, where one Arakanese fighter lost his life during the rescueoperation.