15th-16th August, 2021

 

The arrests of CDM healthcare workers continue, although the junta said they welcome the return of the CDM civil servants and release political prisoners due to the Covid outbreak. San Win Tun, a CDM dentist in Budalin, Sagaing Region, and a court clerk were beaten and arrested by the junta troops on 13 August, according to DVB.

Similarly, on 14 and 15 August, three CDM teachers and six villagers in Kalemyo were also arrested, according to Zalen. Khit Thit reported that five family members of a man were abducted on 16 August in Taungdwingyi, Magway Region, after the junta troops could not locate him at his home.

NUG’s Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment Min Zeyar Oo told Burma VJ Media that the online lottery, which began on 15 August, was a success. All the fifty thousand lottery tickets worth a hundred million kyat (USD 61,000) were sold out within an hour. The junta-controlled Central Bank has instructed all banks, financial companies, and mobile financial services providers to investigate and take action against these lottery sellers and money transfers. 

In an interview with Arakkha Media on 15 August, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army, Tun Myat Naing, said that they are planning to include Muslims in their administrative positions and in the police force. He added that they are trying to avoid any armed clashes during the outbreak and monsoon season. The junta is reportedly reinforcing its troops in Rakhine State.

The Mandalay Sangha Association told the BBC that the order to keep monks at the junta checkpoints in the city has been revoked due to disagreement with the majority of monks. After a meeting with the junta, the Sangha Association announced on 12 August that three monks would be placed daily at every Covid checkpoint.

Chin World Media reported that Chin National Front (CNA/F) has carried out the first round of vaccination using Indian-made COVISHIELD at its headquarters, Camp Victoria, in Thantlang Township, Chin State. A CDF-Mindat member told Khit Thit that heavy fighting broke out on the evening of 16 August due to the offensive by the junta troops at Mile 16 on the Mindat-Matupi Road. On 16 August, U Nyunt Shwe, an NLD’s MP of the Bago Region, died of Covid in Bago prison. He was charged under Section 505 (a) of the Criminal Code and was detained in prison since 9 February, Voice of Myanmar reported.