Sittway District Administrator and Say Tha Mar Gyi Villager unveil independent, peaceful lifestyle of residents in Aungmingala Ward of Sittway and support of government for health and education sectors

A statement of U Aung Naing Oo, Sittway District Administrator of General Administration Department on independent livelihoods of residents from Aungmingala Ward in Sittway of Rakhine State and another statement of Daw Tin Ni Shwe (a) Nang Rang Saw Ra, residing in Say Tha Mar Gyi Village of Sittway on arrangements of the government for accomodation, health and education sectors were described as follows: –

U Aung Naing Oo (Director)
District Administrator, Sittway District General Administration Department
Now, we arrive in Aungmingala Ward. We see the school in Aungmingala Ward. There are one government’s school and two schools teaching Arabi language. Students from the ward are learning education at the government’s school under full strength of teachers. In our ward, after the 2012 conflict, during 2013-2014, there was security provided outside for the safety of the residents, and gates were set up. After 2014, the gates were removed, and people have been able to move around freely. There are no obstacles or restrictions anymore. Similarly, we also have a busy market nearby, which the local residents of the ward call the ‘Democracy Market.’ At present, this ward is a place where Rakhine indigenous people, other ethnic groups, and Bengali people in Sittway can move about freely without restriction.
This school has a vacant plot, and arrangements are being made to expand it. The school we visited is Aungmingala Ward Basic Education Middle School, where students from the ward are studying. Moreover, plans are underway to build a new school building on the vacant plot to allow further expansion. The area we visited also includes a market in Aungmingala Ward, Sittway, called the ‘Democracy Market.’ In this market, Bengali people from the ward buy and sell goods, and Rakhine indigenous people and other ethnic groups also trade there. Currently, people are able to move and carry out their activities freely and peacefully in this area.

Daw Tin Ni Shwe (a) Nang Rang Saw Ra
Say Tha Mar Gyi Village, Sittway
I have been living here for a long time, about thirty years. I am married and have four children. Regarding medical treatment, we can receive healthcare from the government. The government health department comes once a month to give vaccinations, especially for children. For patients like us, they also come once a week or once every fifteen days to provide medical treatment. We are here to live freely.
In terms of our security, we have an administrative system, including the ward administrator, the household heads, and group leaders. They provide protection for us, and if we need help, we can go and inform them and they will assist us together. We receive good support and opportunities from them. The government also provides us with the best possible support. I work odd-job. I work as a casual labourer. But it is fine. My husband is also a casual labourer.
There are no restrictions at all. We live completely freely, without any disturbance. The government allows us to live freely and peacefully. Everything is fine and satisfactory. Regarding healthcare, as I mentioned, the health department comes once a month to give vaccinations. They give vaccines to pregnant women as well. For children, when they reach two months of age, they are given vaccinations. In real emergency situations, the government provides medical treatment, and we can go there and receive treatment freely.
Regarding education, in our Say Tha Mar Gyi Village we have a post-primary school. Children can study there up to Grade 7. For Grades 8, 9, and 10, the government arranges schools for them in Thetkaepyin. They can go to those schools and attend freely. As for the identity card, in 2017 there was a program under which the government’s Immigration Department came and processed applications. Some people received their cards, and some did not. I am still in the process of applying, and I hope that we will receive it. I am not eligible to vote yet, but I went to observe.

gnlm