Arakan State Government to Enumerate Displaced Muslims in Camps

The Arakan State government has said that it will begin counting the Muslim populations still residing in displaced persons’ camps in Kyaukphyu, Ponnagyun and Myebon townships—so as to facilitate planning and development, the state government claims.

Many of Arakan State’s Muslims were left out of Burma’s 2014 census because they refused to identify as “Bengalis,” the term used by members of the government and the general public to refer to the country’s stateless Rohingya minority concentrated in northern Arakan State. The term implies they are illegal migrants from neighboring Bangladesh.

Min Aung, a spokesperson for the Arakan State Government, told The Irrawaddy that the enumeration of Muslims in camps in the three townships would begin on June 7. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)