ULA bans unauthorized sale of farmland for non-agricultural use in Arakan State

The United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA), has prohibited landowners in Arakan (Rakhine) State from selling farmland for non-agricultural purposes without official authorization, according to an order issued on June 29. Under the directive, land officially designated as farmland cannot be subdivided, bought, sold, leased, transferred, or used for residential development, commercial projects, or any other non-agricultural purpose without prior approval from ULA authorities. The ULA said the order ensures farmland is managed systematically in accordance with land laws, administrative procedures, land management orders, and related directives. "This isn't really anything unusual. It's basically the ULA reaffirming Myanmar's existing farmland law. The real question is whether this regulation will place tighter restrictions on Arakan's farmers or create new opportunities for them. That's something we'll have to wait and see," a farmer from Kyauktaw Township said. The order also bans landowners from filling land, constructing roads, erecting fences, building structures, or carrying out any other form of land-use conversion on farmland without approval from the relevant authorities. In addition, it prohibits advertising the illegal sale, purchase, or investment of farmland through media outlets, public communication channels, or any other means. "I've heard that farmland transactions are now subject to taxation. To me, this law basically declares that the government owns the land. It means the authorities can seize it whenever they decide it's necessary. That leaves local people without any real guarantee that the land they've farmed or owned is actually theirs. It's also worrying for those who've only recently bought land," another Arakan resident said. The newly issued regulation can be interpreted as establishing a system where the government retains ultimate ownership of all land and may confiscate it whenever deemed necessary, raising concerns among farmers and farmland owners over the security of their land tenure. According to the statement, anyone found violating the order will face legal action under applicable land laws and administrative procedures. It added that authorities would dismantle or suspend unauthorized activities and initiate legal proceedings against those involved in illegal land-use practices. The AA currently controls most of Arakan State, with 14 of its 17 townships under its control, as well as Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State.