§ Mr. Gammansasked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he will make a statement on the outbreak of lawlessness in the Arakan district.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe situation in Arakan has for some months been disturbed. The ring-leader is U Sein Da who took part in the resistance movement against the Japanese and subsequently148W used his organisation to establish a parallel administration and terrorise wide areas. The Governor's Executive Council in December last offered U Sein Da and his followers a special amnesty provided they surrendered with their arms. On 17th January U Sein Da with 67 of his followers surrendered but the number of arms given up was insignificant. Since his surrender U Sein Da has shown no desire to co-operate with the Government of Burma despite many conciliatory approaches. He attacked the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the delegation from the Governor's Executive Council stating that Burmese independence could only be attained by violence. Meanwhile, he continued to strengthen his force and extract money and supplies from the villages. There has been widespread lawlessness including murders and attacks on the police. Some parallel courts have been established and sentences of whipping and death carried out. At rallies and conferences culminating in an All-Arakan Conference on 1st April resolutions have been passed urging non-payment of taxes, cancellation of agricultural debts and open rebellion. U Aung San's personal intervention at this Conference was without effect. On 9th May a mob of three thousand surrounded the court house at Ramree demanding the release of 18 criminals arrested for illegal possession of arms. It was about to disperse when U Sein Da arrived and by intimidation secured the release of the criminals and the return of their arms. He and his followers were shortly after arrested. Documents found in U Sein Da's possession revealed connection with the Communist Party (Burma)—an unlawful organisation—and also elaborate plans to seize power. The Government have sent a strong force of military and police to Arakan where the situation is now well in hand.