Staff families relocated as junta decides to establish artillery base in Sittwe immigration office premises

A staff member informed Narinjara News that the families residing in a housing complex were relocated as the military junta decided to establish an artillery base within the premises of the State immigration office at Pyi Taw Thar ward of  Sittwe in Rakhine State.

"Yesterday between 3 and 4 pm, two military vehicles equipped with full weaponry entered the office premises. I heard that they are planning to establish an artillery base there. The staff families were forced to leave," he added.

A Sittwe resident revealed that the official staff residing in the immigration office and land records office complex started relocating to the downtown area on 14 March by 3 pm.

"The junta didn't provide the affected families any accommodation. Some staff members have gone to relatives' houses, but the rest are facing difficulties," he stated.

The junta forces are undertaking military preparations at key locations of Sittwe to defend any potential offensive by the Arakan Army (AA) members in Sittwe township.

Even the departmental staff, who are assigned to work in rural areas, are also directed to work in Sittwe.

"The monthly salaries are not being sent to the staff in rural areas. They must collect their salaries when they come to town. Those unable to come to the office have been asked to send reports. Initially, the senior  staff were asked to come to Sittwe, but now the rural staff have also been directed to come back to the capital city," he explained.

As a result of the ongoing conflicts in the Rakhine region, many  government employees based in the Sittwe urban area have resigned from their positions due to the security concern.

Due to the increasing number of unauthorized absences by the  staff working under the junta, there are reports indicating that the staff from Rakhine will be permitted to travel long distances with departmental travel authorization.