Myanmar: Tatmadaw says internet shut down in 9 townships has nothing to do with it

• The Ministry of Transport and Communications has ordered telecommunications companies to temporarily shut down internet services in nine townships in Rakhine and Chin states.
• The ministry instructed the telcos on 21 Jun 19 to temporarily suspend internet access in the townships where fighting is taking place between the Tatmadaw (military) and armed groups, to ensure stability, rule of law, and in the public interest, said Ministry of Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary U Soe Thein.
• The notification only instructed the temporary halt in internet access, but didn’t say when operators can resume their services.
• Paletwa in Chin State, and Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya and Myebon in northern Rakhine were the townships affected by the shutdown.
• “If things return to normal, we will stop the cut-off. It is not permanent. It was done temporarily for public security,” said U Soe Thein.
• Major General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team, said at a press conference at Defence Service Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on 22 Jun 19 that the command to cut off the internet connection in the 9 townships has nothing to do with the Tatmadaw.
• This comes as The Arakan Army says the cutting off of internet service is an attempt by the Tatmadaw (military) to hide the reality in conflict zones.

External Link: https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/tatmadaw-has-nothing-to-do-with-the-suspension-of-internet-access

External Link: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/internet-shut-down-nine-townships-rakhine-chin.html

External Link: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/aa-accuses-tatmadaw-trying-hide-information.html