Thousands march in Rakhine to demand end of fighting

News Desk:

Thousands of people, including monks, marched on Sunday in Sittwe township in Rakhine State calling for an end to the fighting between the Tatmadaw (military) and Arakan Army (AA).

The demonstrators urged the government to immediately end the clashes, take responsibility for the refugees, provide freedom of movement for local and international NGOs, and prevent civilians from being put in harm’s way.

U Sanda Wara, a monk and one of the leaders of the march, said the people took to the streets because they have not received a satisfactory response from the government to a letter sent by senior monks to the authorities on May 9.

U Sanda Wara said that every leader who loves the nation should consider putting an end to the fighting in Rakhine. The protesters said the monks’ letter was sent to the president, the state counsellor, and the senior general through the state government. “We march as promised. We will continue to demand an end to the fighting and the start of peace talks,” said U Kyan Chay, one of the marchers.