Narinjara News, 21 September2024

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

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

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

Following the complaints ofsome owners, the  AA intelligence teams investigated the matter.

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

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

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

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

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

The statement acknowledgedthat some AA members and corrupt officials within the administration abusedtheir authorities to seize public wealth. Effective actions will be takenagainst them, asserted the statement.

The Arakan People'sGovernment will establish the department of law enforcement and public securitywith an increased volume of personnel.

Additionally, the AAcommitted to intensify its efforts to create a safer and secure environment forall with the cooperation of local residents.