Gold prices, kyat exchange rate hit new record; NUG representative in India fired

Gold prices and kyat exchange rate hit new record

Gold prices hit a record high of seven million kyat per tical (0.0164 kg) on ​​Friday. The regime’s Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA) set the price for a tical of gold at 4.6 million kyat ($1,416 USD) on August 7, but reached almost seven million kyat ($2,155 USD).

“The military (regime) set fixed prices to prevent commodity prices from rising, but in reality it did not work in the market. Some gold shops displayed the prices set by the association outside their shops, but they made (gold) purchases with different prices,” said a gold shop owner with a shop on Maha Bandula Road in Yangon.

In June, the regime arrested 21 gold traders, accused of manipulating gold prices. Several gold shops in Yangon were temporarily closed. Gold prices have soared since the 2021 military coup, with the exchange rate hitting a record high of 6,000 kyat per $1 USD on Friday.

NUG representative in India fired

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG) said that Salai Isaac Khen, its representative in India, was dismissed on August 1 following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation.

The NUG added that the Central Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse has ruled that Salai Isaac Khen “did indeed commit sexual harassment.” The committee’s findings were based on documents and witness statements, the NUG said.

Rohingya refugees cross a bamboo bridge in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in May (Source: Reuters)

A spike in violence-related injuries among Rohingya

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, issued a statement on August 9 saying it had treated 49 people with serious injuries on this scale for the first time in a year. Rohingya were attacked in northern Arakan’s Maungdaw Township on August 5.

“People should not be exposed to indiscriminate attacks and should be able to move to safer areas,” said MSF Representative in Bangladesh Orla Murphy. “It is clear that the safe space for civilians in Myanmar is shrinking every day, with people caught up in ongoing fighting and forced to make dangerous journeys to Bangladesh to seek safety.”

MSF treated patients who had fled from Maungdaw to Bangladesh. Rohingya reported being attacked as they tried to find boats to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. Some Rohingya confirmed to MSF that they had seen hundreds of dead bodies on the banks of the river. MSF suspended all health services in Northern Arakan on 27 June.

News by region

ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) announced on August 8 that five prisoners, including two political prisoners, were killed in Thandwe Prison when the army launched an attack on its “rescue operation” in southern Arakan. A total of 372 prisoners, including 43 political prisoners, were freed by the AA.

The AA said the 43 political prisoners had been returned to their families. It is now investigating the criminal cases of the 372 non-political prisoners “in a legal manner.” The AA took control of Thandwe Township on July 16.

CHINLAND—More than 700 refugees from the townships of Matupi, Paletwa, Hakha and Thantlang held a protest in Lawngtlai, in India’s southern state of Mizoram, against the AA on Saturday. The protesters called on the AA to leave Chinland.

“The protesters were chanting for the AA to leave Paletwa and Matupi,” said a Chin refugee in Lawngtlai. The AA captured Paletwa on January 10 and is fighting alongside the Chin Brotherhood in the townships of Kanpetlet, Kyatwee (Kyindwe) and Matupi in southern Chinland.

SHAN—At least 120 prisoners—out of a total of 2,487—were killed or missing in military attacks on Lashio Prison during fighting with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) from July 24 to 27, according to survivors. The MNDAA seized control of the prison on July 28.

“At least 80 were killed,” Gar Zar, a political prisoner who escaped from Lashio prison, told DVB. More than 200 political prisoners were released by the MNDAA. Family members of those released said most were back home with their families on August 7.

National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) Chairman Sai Lin died of lung cancer in a hospital in China on August 8. He was 78. “Sai Lin has passed away. He had been suffering from lung cancer for more than 20 years and his condition deteriorated to a point where he could no longer tolerate it,” Kyi Myint, the secretary-general and spokesperson of the NDAA, told DVB.

Sai Lin founded the NDAA on April 19, 1989. He was from Muse, located in northern Shan State on the border with China. The NDAA, based in eastern Shan State, is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC). It declared neutrality in Operation 1027, despite its alliance with the MNDAA.

MANDALAY—Residents and relatives of senior military and police officials in Pyin Oo Lwin have been displaced, sources close to the military told DVB. Rumors of an attack on Pyin Oo Lwin by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, the AA and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), circulated online.

“How can they protect the people?” asked a resident of Pyin Oo Lwin who left for Mandalay, 40 miles (64 km) to the south. The army’s Defense Services Academy is in Pyin Oo Lwin. Regime media denied rumors of an impending attack, calling them baseless.

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