National Day for Rakhine among proposals at Arakan conference
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The designation of Rakhine National Day, the migration of Bengalis to Rakhine State and the merger of two Rakhine armies were on the agenda at the five-day Arakan National Conference held in Kyaukphyu.
Members of Myanmar’s union government joined with Arakanese (Rakhine) ethnic armed forces, political parties and civil society groups for the conference.
The participants considered political, economic and social issues. The rule of law, perpetuation of the territory and national interest were outlined. Research papers such as future prospects and suggestions of Kyaukphyu SEZ, farmland sector enhancement and rural development, poverty reduction, economics and border trade plans, salt farmers, strategic situation of Rakhine State and development prospects were submitted to the conference.
Famous historian Prof Dr Aye Chan submitted a paper at the session, showing local ethnic Rakhine’s concern over the illegal entry of Bengalis into Rakhine State. He stated that policies protecting ethnic rights should be laid down to protect the national security in the west.
“Bengalis immigrated to Rakhine State under British rule. In the post-Independence period, Bengalis population figures had been on the rise due to corrupt government servants. Bengalis’ entry in to Rakhine State was due to favourable livelihoods but our priority is to create job opportunities for local ethnic Rakhine people. Now, the unity of five districts in Rakhine State became stronger than in the past. Necessary policies could be laid down later. I am very satisfied to see the conference,” said Prof Dr Aye Chan.
In a paper submitted by Dr Tin Aung, he suggested the national day should recognize the entire Rakhine population. Although Rakhine State Day has been designated, Rakhine National Day has yet to be implemented.
Rakhine, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh on the west, has been in the international spotlight in recent months following a series of violent communal incidents between Buddhists and Muslims.
Some Muslim populations declined to join the national census, as they could not identify themselves as “Rohingya” amid unsolved dispute on the origin of Rohingya and Bengalis - Muslim migrants who originated in Bengal, latterly of Bangladesh. And a misunderstanding over a Buddhist flag led to attacks on the offices of international aid groups.
