.The western Myanmar town of Pauktaw paid a price for winning against the junta in the civil war, with gutted buildings, vacant windows and blocks busy for nothing but rubble.
The fishing port of 20,000 people was captured by fighters from the ethnic minority armed group Arakan Army (AA) in January when conflict started by military coup entered its fourth year.
Pauktaw was one of many such losses across the country at this time that made many believe it could be broken decades-long stranglehold on Myanmar politics.
Four months later, although Pauktaw is still mostly empty with residents who now live on the outskirts because they fear another attack by artillery as serious as that carried out before by junta that destroyed much of the city. .
AFP’s anonymous source said from his temporary home just outside Pauktaw “We are frightened of them (the military)”.
“We do not know what will take place or even which kind of weapon will be thrown upon us if we return to our homes within these areas.”
Their air strikes and bombs are not detectable to us so that means if they do them we shall die.
Street were silent other than birdsong and sound of AA soldiers sifting through piles of debris and sheets of corrugated iron according to video footage shot by locals earlier this month exclusively obtained by AFP.
Above this bustled deserted market where vendors bought crabs and tiger shrimps a ragged awning advertising a mobile phone carrier flutters over the entrance door to an appalled shop.
Telephone services together with internet access have been cut off almost totally.
– No way –
<p>Myanmar army has always been at war since it seeks more independence for ethnic Rakhine people living in their state.
In response to increasing opposition against its rule with different armed groups, some new others old, AA has strengthened its offensive efforts.
With every loss in terms of territory on the ground, the current regime has been relying more and more on its air power to support its ground forces.
Both Human Rights Watch Amnesty International have accused it of using these onslaughts to punish communities suspected of resisting military rule.
Many people ran away after a military helicopter came over Pauktaw in November last year and began firing into the town.
“We could not take anything from our house.”
“We had nothing to eat by that time, we had cooked pot of rice”, she added as she requested anonymity too.
“When we fled we didn’t have money except for some gold jewelry which was difficult to pawn because the interest rates were very high.”
Among 2.7 million persons who have left their homes as a result of this situation countrywide, Pauktaw’s inhabitants are also victims of a national tragedy Myanmar
– Pillage –
Though it is still open for people to pick up things and leave, AA does not allow inhabitants come back again in Pauktaw due to fear that another airstrike or artillery attack might be launched on the city.
Returning to his home to check it out as said by AFP informant he said that “I went back there last week where I found my house up and partly destroyed with fallen Buddha statue onto the floor”.
He told me that the savings box in which he had put money for a ritual that would be performed by Buddhist monks for his children and some timber to rebuild his house’s roof which was damaged during last year’s cyclone, was missing.
“All that money has been lost”, he said.
“Everything in our household was stolen… my dad’s nets went away,” another woman added, asking not to be named as well.
“I am lucky because I save my sewing machines since I am a tailor.”
According to local accounts, both sides looted homes and destroyed buildings during the conflict.
In March of this year AA however stressed it would “investigate” any allegations of its men engaging in looting amidst the fighting.
– ‘Decisive battle’ –
The AA offensive in Rakhine state has seized long strips of territory along with the boundary shared with India and Bangladesh.
Mileage is about 25km from Sittwe, therefore it wants to capture this state capital city making it the only major town still under military control in northern Rakhine State
In April, the AA suggested those living around the town – home to an Indian-funded deep sea port – should leave before a “decisive” attack.
Residents of Sittwe reached by AFP said roads and rivers from there were being monitored by soldiers while food prices had doubled for basic foods like rice and eggs; they did not want their names mentioned
Displaced residents from Pauktaw fear more violence elsewhere nearby.
AFP quoted one resident saying: “I am saddened that we have left our own home but we cannot live in it anymore.”
“I have pawned my necklace for 18 lakhs ($850) so we have money to live. I still hope I can claim it back.”
Others said they wanted payback.
One lady stated on her part: “I haven’t joined Myanmar Arakan Army since I care about who will take care of my child.”
“If I wasn’t… I would join them and fight back. I will be satisfied only if I can take revenge.”
