Battle intensifies between rebels and military in Myanmar’s Buthidaung town

Guwahati: Many people from the Hindu and Rakhine communities are trapped in Myanmar's Buthidaung town in Rakhine state as there is a clash that is happening between the military and the rebel group, the Arakan Army.

According to reports, there has been a communal divide happening in the region and many houses have been gutted due to the tense situation in the region.

It has been learnt that there are close to 1,500 Hindus and 20 Rakhines who are stranded in Buthidaung town and are prevented to leave from the location because of the intense fight that is going.

Moreover, a curfew has also been imposed in Buthidaung and Maungdaw areas of Rakhine state from 7 pm to 6 am.

Reports state that the Arakan Army have taken control over a 16-mile-long road around these areas to make it safe for the civilian population.

More intense fighting is also going on around the Thahtay hydropower project in Thandwe town, in the westernmost part of Myanmar.

Another worrisome factor is that many medicine shops are being seized and this has meant that critical medications are being prohibited.

Food packets have also become scarce and this has been a major concern because if the situation doesn’t improve then civilians stuck in these areas will face an existential crisis.