AA returns gold, silver, consumer goods seized during fighting to rightful owners

Narinjara News, 21 September 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) is returning public properties seized during the fighting, including gold, silver, jewelry, consumer goods, etc to the rightful owners. At the same time, the AA is taking actions against the members who misused the confiscated items instead of handing over those to the concerned officials, said a statement issued on 13 September.

"During the fights to capture towns in the Arakan region, the individuals who misappropriated public properties like gold, silver, jewelry, consumer goods, etc without handing it over to the proper authorities, have been identified and punished. We are now returning these items to the rightful owners," said the statement.

The AA expressed deep sorrow  over the losses suffered by the residents who fled the fighting. Many of them lost belongings such as motorcycles, cars, fireboxes, etc which are heavy and difficult to carry. Some of the gold and silver items which residents hid in their places for security reasons were either damaged or went missing.

Following the complaints of some owners, the  AA intelligence teams investigated the matter.

The Arakan People's Government conducted the probe to find out the perpetrators and some of them were punished. Later the recovered items were handed over to the owners.

The AA stated that the investigation into the missing items is still going on.

The  AA members recovered various gold, silver and other jewelry items hidden in a local church of ward number  2 in Kyeintali town. Later all the items were returned to their owners.

The AA urged the residents to report to their local authorities accurately about their gold, silver and other jewelry items, which were stored or hidden in their places.

It has enforced strict guidelines for the warriors to protect the people, their lives and properties.

The statement acknowledged that some AA members and corrupt officials within the administration abused their authorities to seize public wealth. Effective actions will be taken against them, asserted the statement.

The Arakan People's Government will establish the department of law enforcement and public security with an increased volume of personnel.

Additionally, the AA committed to intensify its efforts to create a safer and secure environment for all with the cooperation of local residents.