14 political parties call for state of emergency in Arakan

Fourteen Burmese political parties, including the opposition military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), have issued a joint statement, calling for a state of emergency to be declared in high-risks areas of the volatile western region.

“In order for the incumbent government to guarantee due responsibility upon security operations in Rakhine [Arakan] State, we hereby urge that the president declares a military administrative order in accordance with Section 143 (b) regarding the provisions on state of emergency in the 2008 constitution,” read the statement.

“We also urge that legal actions, in accordance with the counter-terrorism law, are taken concretely against the terrorist organisations and their affiliates who attempt to harm the sovereignty and tranquility of the nation.”

The statement comes after one Rohingya Muslim man was killed and six wounded when they were attacked by a mob of Arakanese Buddhists in state capital Sittwe on Tuesday.

Tensions between minority Muslims and majority Buddhists have been running high in Arakan since an army crackdown in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks in October, but Sittwe has not seen a repeat of communal clashes that killed dozens and displaced about 140,000 people in 2012.

Security forces were placed on high alert in Sittwe on Wednesday; however authorities emphasised that the situation was under control.